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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 9-Nov-04
Palestinian rage and dissension grows as Arafat nears death

Web Log - November, 2004

Palestinian rage and dissension grows as Arafat nears death

Plans for peaceful transition of Palestinian power are progressing within the Palestinian Authority, as wary observers look for signs of possible violence following the death of Yasser Arafat, which now appears to be only hours away.

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" was the watchphrase yesterday, when Arafat's wife, Suha, called the Arabic cable network al-Jazeera and screamed that Arafat's aides in the Palestinian Authority (PA) were trying to usurp her husband's role in traveling to Paris to see him.

"Let it be known to the honest Palestinian people that a bunch of those who want to inherit are coming to Paris," she shouted. "I tell you they are trying to bury Abu Ammar [Yasser Arafat] alive. He is all right and he is going home."

Suha is 41 years old, 34 years younger than Yasser. When they got married in 1991, Palestinians reacted with as much disdain and hostility as any society does when an older man marries a much younger woman. Suha was repeatedly rebuffed and humiliated by Arafat's PA aides, the same men who have now traveled to Paris to gain a vengeful Suha's permission to visit Arafat's bedside.

By 1995, when their daughter was born, Suha was spending most of her time in Paris, and now lives in a $5 million penthouse apartment in Paris, where she has control of a great deal more money. She has not seen her husband since 2000.

As Arafat's death approaches, the situation has been further inflamed by the question of where Arafat will be buried. He's expressed the wish to be buried in Jerusalem, but Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has forbidden a Jerusalem burial.

Now a new inflammatory medical statement is complicating the situation even further, as French doctors are implying that Arafat's poor health was caused by the Israelis' confining him by force to the West Bank town of Ramallah since 2000. Palestinians will honor Arafat as a martyr who stood up against Israel and America and died for his people.

Americans and Israelis criticize Yasser Arafat because he didn't accept a deal in 1999 which would have created a Palestinian state side by side with Israel. Palestinians honor and revere Arafat because he didn't give in to Israel by accepting that deal, which would have required Palestinians to give up the "right of return" to the lands they lost in 1947. This feeling has become only stronger, as Ariel Sharon directs the building of a barrier around Israel that takes even more land that the Palestinians believe belongs to them.

Americans and Israelis have a dream that with Arafat gone, another leader will step into his place and accept the peace deal that Arafat rejected. It's nice to have dreams. I once had a dream that I got to spend the night with Julia Roberts. Their dream has less chance of coming true than mine did. (9-Nov-04) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 9-Nov-04 Palestinian rage and dissension grows as Arafat nears death

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 9-Nov-04
Palestinian rage and dissension grows as Arafat nears death