With the death of Arafat, his enemies are touting this "opportunity" as a "hope" for the Palestinian people, a "turning point". Specially American and Israeli officials, Bush, Sharon, Lapid, Netanyahu, even Shimon Perez are talking on the same line – this is a new opportunity for the Palestinians for realisation of their dream of a free Palestinian state. Well, when did Palestinian people started to dream of a State? For almost half a century they are fighting an occupation, they are not fighting to establish a Palestinian state in West Bank and Gaza Strip. This is hilarious! And what can be said when the dream offer comes from the occupying forces! As if, they are the right people to justify the outcome of a Palestinian dream. Israeli/American version of Palestinian dream does not include Jerusalem and other occupied territories.
Its occupation, stupid. There will be no peace without justice. And without pulling out from all the occupied land, there is no hope. Whoever compromises with the dream of Palestinian people under Israeli/American pressure will fell short of legitimacy among Palestinian people. This was Arafat's great mistake. If traditional authority compromises, people will turn their support on more extremist groups like Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and others. Palestinian people now need a courageous and uncompromising leadership who never seeks legitimacy from occupying forces or "international community". He only needs to remain valid to his people.