Pondering life after Arafat

[Darranar]

One might expect the Sharon government – which first dubbed Arafat irrelevant, then called for his expulsion, and topped it all off by hinting that he should be killed – would jump for joy on the rumors that Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat is seriously ill.

Yet Palestinian and Israeli officials observe that, with Arafat apparently on the way out, Israel will have to deal with a more chaotic PA in the short run, and the much more frightening "unknown" in the long run. Plus, it will have one less peg to hang the blame on for terrorist attacks.

The Palestinian National Charter carefully maps out Arafat's succession. PA Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei is to take over as chairman. Mahmoud Abbas is take hold of Fatah and the PLO. Simple, right? Wrong.

Jpost

This from JPost!

[dmkinsey]

1. Sharon should be careful what he wishes for

He may get it. I see a post Arafat period being more dangerous than the current situation. We really don't know who will emerge to lead the Palestinian Authority but it seems certain that leader will be more radical and militant than Arafat.
Trouble ahead for Isreal and therefore trouble too for Palestinians.
DaveK

[Aidoneus]

2. does it speculate on Barghouti's role in such a future?

I don't have or want a JPost login, but I'm curious if the writer touches on it. As far as a real popular appeal goes, he probably has a wider draw that Arafat does (maybe not as much a legendary figure, but exponentially less corrupt and more respected at any rate), even as the sort like Abu Mazen and Mohammed Dahlan have more of an appeal to US/Israeli politicians than among Palestinians themselves.

[Darranar]

3. He didn't mention Barghouti at all...

the author simply went on about how chaos would ensue if Arafat died.

[DuctapeFatwa]

4. Will they let him live long enough to see the first settlements in Iraq?

It will bring comfort to the Palestinians to know they are not alone.

[Fight_n_back]

5. Your jokes don't make any sense

you should take a class or read some George S Kaufman (oh I guess that would be out of the question)

[bluesoul]

6. Occupation

I don't see any jokes. It's the sad truth. Just as Palestinian territories are occupied, so is Iraq. It's a fact. In both cases the people don't want the occupier there.

[DuctapeFatwa]

7. What joke? Greater Israel includes part of what is now Iraq

There are many Israelis for whom the expansion of Israel to conform to their interpretation of ancient religious text is a very serious matter, and one that would coincidentally serve US financial interests.

[Equinox]

8. But don't you get it DuctapeFatwa?

(oh I guess that would be out of the question)

Yang said so....

:shrug: :eyes:

[rini]

9. I am constantly amazed

how much power, brilliance, control, and just plain magic you give to us. Imagine a people who comprise 1/10 of 1 % of the population of the Arab world with the ability to take-over and govern the majority? WOW!!!