Arafat's death (?) and the aftermath

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
1

Reports are circulating that Arafat has died in a hospital in Paris. These are not confirmed, but seems more like just a matter of time at this point. What will the future hold for the people of Palestine and Israel now that Arafat is not on the scene? Considering that a lot of people on this forum had declared Arafat the root cause of why there is no peace in the middle east.

Arafat is dead, Israeli, German media say](http://www.bluelemur.com/index.php?p=394)

At his press conference just now, President Bush replied to question about Arafat’s passing, saying only, ” God bless his soul. We will continue to work for a free Palestinian state for peace with Israel.”

The Palestinian Prime Minister contested reports that Arafat was clinically dead; see Reuters report at bottom.

From a German newspaper:

Yasser Arafat has died at the age of 75 after failing to be revived from the coma he slipped into on Wednesday at the French military hospital where he was being treated for an undiagnosed blood and digestive disorder.

Yasser Arafat, the 75 year-old Palestinian leader, has died in the intensive care department of the French military hospital where he was being treated for an unknown illness.

The frail head of the Palestinian Authority arrived in Paris last week after losing consciousness briefly at his West Bank headquarters. Arafat was at first said to have been suffering from a severe case of influenza, but was later diagnosed as having blood abnormalities and trouble with digestion.

Palestinian officials then ran tests for leukemia but the cancer was ruled out, and doctors remained uncertain what was causing his illness. Arafat’s condition worsened three days ago and he slipped into a coma on Wednesday.

This from Agence-France Presse:

Veteran Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat (news - web sites) died in a hospital in France, Israeli private television and military radio reported.

The 75-year-old had been treated at a military hospital on the outskirts of Paris since being flown out of his West Bank headquarters on Friday.

Doctors in Paris had earlier said that Arafat was in a coma while his top advisor had said that he was in a critical condition.

From Reuters:

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat was declared clinically dead on Thursday in a French hospital, Israeli television said citing French sources.

But Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie denied the report, saying: “I have just spoken to the officials in Paris and they say the situation is still as it was. He is still in the intensive care unit.”

Israel’s Channel Two television cited unnamed sources in Paris saying that Arafat underwent a brain scan and was found to be “no longer alive.”

Palestinian sources earlier told Reuters that the Palestinian president, who was admitted to hospital last week with a mysterious stomach illness, had slipped into a coma.

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Sharon would have liked to see Arafat live on I have no doubt as it makes his job easier. Who fills the void? Mahmoud Abbas likely for now.

Arafat will not be buried in Israel, how the Pal street reacts to this and his death a whole should be interesting to say the least.

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Arafat will be buried in Palestine, this will be the official PA position. Anyway, I think by his death IDF has to figure out pretty quickly who to blame for the unrest in the occupied territories, as long as there is occupation nothing will change Arafat or no Arafat.

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If the new PA leadership cracks down on Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the other terror orgs. he won't be able to blame anyone.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by underthedome: *
If the new PA leadership cracks down on
[/QUOTE]
Assuming we even know who the 'PA leadership' is... there is no way they are cracking down on anyone cz they simply have no resources to do any kind of crackdown in the first place. You can't put the cart in front of the horse.

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CNN is saying that he is alive but in a very critical condition. he has been transferred to another facility to receive treatment more appropriate for his condition, a spokesman for a Paris military hospital said Thursday.(Copied from CNN)

In respond to this thread’s title, I personally believe that Arafat was a dysfunctional leader for a long time and his presence in Ramalla was symbolic. I do not see any catastrophic changes in middle east/ Palestine after his demise. He was not playing any active role in Middle East politics for last 3 or 4 years. In fact, for last 4 years, Bush administration has ignored the Palestine issue to its best possible extent. Therefore, from a geo-political standpoint, every thing in this region is more or less stagnant. All we have seen in last four years are suicide bombings and in retaliation more Israeli brutalities or vice-versa. Probably, Abbas will replace Arafat but it will not bring any major changes in the region. However, with new leadership in place, there will be increased pressure on israel to start the negotiations who has avoided talking to Arafat.

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If they're committed to removing terror organizations (those that support and actively attack Israel seeking their destruction) then they will have no shortage of resources (exception could be people, is this what the Pals. want?). Are they committed to doing this even if it means some kind of civil battles?

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There is no leadership.

The PA has the authority, and no power. Hamas and thier ilk have the guns, bombs and power. Arafat thought that IntifadaII would enhance his negociating position, instead it fractured the PA.

As long as Hamas acts independently there can be no peace.

God bless his soul, but the passing of Arafat may be the best possible thing for the Palestinians. If they can restructure, and eliminate his corruption, they have a chance.

The pullout from Gaza however promises only chaos.

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I think no one like Abu Ala and Abu Mazen would ever go against Hamas or Islamic Jihad, both of them would try to bring them on board as political forces. Had Barghoti been out of jail he would have been the best to lead the Palestinians at this time.

UTD, the whole PA, along with Hamas, Islamic Jihad and PLFP are committed to remove terror organizations like IDF out of occupied territories, they are unified on this issue. The problem is how, sooner or later they will figure it out.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by underthedome: *
Sharon would have liked to see Arafat live on I have no doubt as it makes his job easier. Who fills the void? Mahmoud Abbas likely for now.

Arafat will not be buried in Israel, how the Pal street reacts to this and his death a whole should be interesting to say the least.
[/QUOTE]

Well said!

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they're saying on tv he's still alive..

may Allah swt give him health :(

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as a human i wish him well, but he has not done much as a leader in recent times and i think it is time the leadership passed on to younger generation prefrebally not among the corrupt secular kafir PLO. he should resign and dismiss plo, let the palestinians choose another organization that better represents them.

13

i've read reports that the has 2-3 billion$ in swiss accounts. thats personal wealth. leader of the palestinians .. nice business he had going on over there ..what a nice guy. doing all for the palestinian cause..

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In islam it is not good to talk about the dead, so since he is not dead yet i agree with comments posted by several people including surprise surprise OHIOGUY:mudhosh:, Arafat and his cronies are nothing but a bunch of good for nothing crooks they are the opposite of Robin Hood Because they steal from the Poor and give to themselves and there band of merry fraudsters!

Arafat has done nothing for palestine this image of galant soldier who does everything for his people is a myth, if he had so much support then why nobody ever listened to him he is just a puppet and a token face for the media to play with when reality is everyone in region knows all about him and don’t take my word or anyone else speak to the people on the ground and they will tell you his actions and history just as a small example read up on Black September the time when Arafat and Hussien of Jordan killed thousands of there own so called people!

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May God bless his soul .. he has been a popular figure in the world. His red/white head scarf and that army suit is legendary.

For whatever he did good or bad as I have heard many opinions about him (some say he was the puppet of US!) now I hope the new leader will make a different new start. All the best for the palestini people.

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News reports say that Mehmoud Abbas (Abu Maazen) and Qurai are jointly entrusted with the leadership role within PLO, now that Arafat is no longer incharge.

On to Arafat.. the news report suggested that he is being kept on life-support while Palestinian, Israeli and French governments agree on a burial site. Apparently the negotiations are ongoing.

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His condition is said to be ‘stable’ according to French doctors … reported on the BBC. Sharon refuses to allow him to be buried in East Jerusalem, as per his wishes. The Israelis are throwing out two buriel site options … Ramallah or Gaza.

Arafat Funeral Conundrum

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is the news about his death official??

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IMHO would be grand gesture toward peace process for Israelis to offer burial in Jerusalem for Arafat.

I can understand Israeli unease having an Arafat shrine/monument in Jerusalem becoming Intafada rallying place.

I can't understand negative excuse that only Jewish Kings be allowed allowed burial in Jerusalem.

I understand Arafat expressed wish for burial at the Mosque... Arafat is no Mohammad..so might that be a possible problem with muslims as well?

Oskar Schindler is buried in the Jewish cemetery...

Maybe an offer by Israel to reserve for Arafat a special site and a guarantee that his body be relocated.... when viable peace terms are established and adhered by both Palestinians and Israelis.

What do you think?

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by AvgAmericanGirl: *
IMHO would be grand gesture toward peace process for Israelis to offer burial in Jerusalem for Arafat.

I can understand Israeli unease having an Arafat shrine/monument in Jerusalem becoming Intafada rallying place.

I can't understand negative excuse that only Jewish Kings be allowed allowed burial in Jerusalem.

I understand Arafat expressed wish for burial at the Mosque... Arafat is no Mohammad..so might that be a possible problem with muslims as well?

Oskar Schindler is buried in the Jewish cemetery...

Maybe an offer by Israel to reserve for Arafat a special site and a guarantee that his body be relocated.... when viable peace terms are established and adhered by both Palestinians and Israelis.

What do you think?
[/QUOTE]

islam does not allow relocating dead remains after burial, there might be some exceptions in extreme cases, but i dont think just to follow the wish of a person the scholars would allow undigging the grave. any how, he wants to be burried IN the mosque? he must be out of his minds, does he think we will worship him as the palestinian god? astagfurullah.