Put Arafat on Trial or Leave Him Be

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http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/sunday/commentary/la-oe-neier28sep28,1,7743941.story?coll=la-sunday-commentary

Put Arafat on Trial or Leave Him Be
By Aryeh Neier

Aryeh Neier is president of the Open Society Institute and former
executive director of Human Rights Watch.

Los Angeles Times
September 28, 2003

Israel would love to remove Yasser Arafat from the Palestinian
territories, and it is easy to understand why. More than 800 Israelis
have been murdered in the second intifada, mostly in suicide bombings,
since it began three years ago. Obviously, the Palestinians who strap
bombs to their torsos and blow themselves up cannot be held
accountable. But those who instigate, plan and abet these crimes must
be punished. And many people believe that Yasser Arafat is at the very
least an enabler or, at worst, an active accomplice.

Nevertheless, Israel's apparent decision to expel or even possibly
kill Arafat is a mistake. Such extrajudicial actions are tricky and
often backfire. Because they are not backed by the rule of law, they
often play right into the hands of the terrorists, who count on their
enemies to respond in a way that weakens their claims to moral
authority.

If the Israeli government has evidence that Arafat aided these
terrorists in any way, it should put him on trial for his part in the
carnage. The evidence should be presented, Arafat and his lawyers
should have a chance to respond, and a court should weigh the facts
impartially until a verdict is reached. Otherwise, Israel cannot
expect to be seen as a just society.

If, on the other hand, Israel's complaint against Arafat is that he
has not used his power, prestige and influence among Palestinians to
put an end to the bombings, then the Israelis have to think about
whether to take any action at all.

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