Palestine After Arafat

Newswise — Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's declining health has focused attention on the possible implications of his death on Middle East policy. "Arafat is still seen as a symbol of resistance," said UAB visiting professor Carlos Yordan, Ph.D., "but Palestinians have become uneasy with the PLO because they feel the organization has become corrupt. Competition now exists between secular Palestinians and the PLO and militant groups like Hamas. Hamas, however, can't coexist with Israel. The PLO is at least willing to negotiate for peace. The other problem is that Arafat never allowed the creation of leadership that could take over for him, and those around him aren't respected like Arafat. The most important decision Palestinians will make is whether to follow Hamas or the PLO."