Legitimacy and Palestinian Leadership

The New York Times this morning reported that Yasser Arafat issued a statement threatening regional instability if the United States supports Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank. In the statement, “Arafat told the United States… it would kill all hope of peace in the Middle East if it gave assurances to Israel on keeping West Bank settlements.” Arafat did not warn about a continuation of violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories, but of continual violence in the Middle East. He clearly linked American policy towards Israel with Middle Eastern policy towards America, and he threatened collective action against America by the tyrants of the Middle East.

Arafat also stated, “This deal which Sharon is seeking will take place at the expense of the Palestinian people and without the knowledge of the Palestinian people's legitimate leadership.” It is true that the Israeli plan will take place at the expense of the Palestinian people, and for that reason the plan may be ill advised, but the plan is less troubling for the Palestinian people than Arafat’s assertion that there exists “legitimate” Palestinian leadership.

Doubtless, Arafat had himself in mind as the legitimate leader of the Palestinian people, which brings his statement full-circle to it’s fraudulent starting point. Arafat is neither legitimate nor a leader. He is rather, a murderous thug who has prevented the Palestinian people from freely electing leaders, stolen what Forbes Magazine estimates at close to half a billion dollars in Palestinian aid money, intimidated and killed all who have threatened his exclusive hold on the Palestinian Authority, and in general, prevented the formation of truly legitimate Palestinian leaders. In doing so, Arafat himself has killed the possibility of peace between Israel and the Palestinian people. He has done so at every opportunity. Arafat's latest threats amount to nothing new. While he is in power, regardless of Israeli actions, there will be no peace and the Palestinian people will suffer.