Tweet
He's been dead for two years now (and let's hope he stays in that condition).
When he died it was almost impossible to imagine how the Middle East could continue existing. As far as most people were concerned, Arafat was always there. You couldn't watch a single news cast without seeing his ugly mug at least once.
Arafat was a master of public deception. When the situation called for it, he could use his power and influence to subdue those who threatened his interests. When Hamas was going against his line, he always managed to rein them.
Most of the time, though, it was more effective to appear weak. When Hamas was killing Israelis, Arafat managed to look the other way. To hold power yet to be seen as having no power. To be the unquestionable leader of the Palestinian people and yet, somehow, not being able to influence anything.
Contrary to the belief of many Israelis, Arafat wasn't the source of the Palestinian problem and he wasn't the sole or major obstacle towards a solution. The last two years are proof of that.
But he was the man who made everything muddy. While he was alive, it was as if a fog of war was engulfing the region. His death dispersed a large part of that fog. It brought a measure of clarity that allowed sane politics to work. The last two years prove that as well.
One thing is clear. Had he died sooner, we still wouldn't have had peace in the Middle East, but a lot of people would still be living.
When he died it was almost impossible to imagine how the Middle East could continue existing. As far as most people were concerned, Arafat was always there. You couldn't watch a single news cast without seeing his ugly mug at least once.
Arafat was a master of public deception. When the situation called for it, he could use his power and influence to subdue those who threatened his interests. When Hamas was going against his line, he always managed to rein them.
Most of the time, though, it was more effective to appear weak. When Hamas was killing Israelis, Arafat managed to look the other way. To hold power yet to be seen as having no power. To be the unquestionable leader of the Palestinian people and yet, somehow, not being able to influence anything.
Contrary to the belief of many Israelis, Arafat wasn't the source of the Palestinian problem and he wasn't the sole or major obstacle towards a solution. The last two years are proof of that.
But he was the man who made everything muddy. While he was alive, it was as if a fog of war was engulfing the region. His death dispersed a large part of that fog. It brought a measure of clarity that allowed sane politics to work. The last two years prove that as well.
One thing is clear. Had he died sooner, we still wouldn't have had peace in the Middle East, but a lot of people would still be living.
Comment