Thursday, November 11, 2004



As I was flying over the Atlantic, crossing timezones from darkness to dawn, Yasser Arafat was heading in the opposite direction, finally slipping into the night.

I heard about his death on the radio in the taxi from the airport. A BBC team was already on its way to Cairo, which meant I thankfully didn't have to turn back around and catch another plane.

Some will be mourning the death of a great symbol of resistance. Others will be rejoicing at the passing of a terrorist.

Either way, with Arafat finally gone there is a short window of opportunity for progress in the stalled Middle East peace process. Mahmoud Abbas and Ahmed Qureia are acceptable to Israel and the United States and -- freed from Arafat's interference -- they could potentially bring closer the day when their predecessor's dream of a Palestinian state becomes a reality.

But Hamas has already vowed to continue its jihad against Israel. Continued violence in the West Bank and Gaza and a protracted power struggle within the Palestinian Authority would give Ariel Sharon justifiable reason not to reopen negotiations.

Let's hope this unique chance for peace will not be squandered.

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

If the Palestinian State is to be Gaza, then yes there is chance for peace. If it is to include the whole of the West Bank, then until Sharon and the whole old guard of Likud pops their respective clogs... No chance!

9:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I realise I am probably in a slightly cynical mood; but even if the new Palestinian leadership are willing to make peace, the Israelis will just move the goalposts again.

8:45 PM  

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