The Patriot Ledger · Quincy, Massachusetts · 30 January 2002

CP-2002-087

Terror triumphs over peace

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Transcribed from the clipping

The rash of suicide bombings in Israel’s cities has all but killed any hope of a resuscitated peace process. Who would the Israelis talk to? It is unclear what has motivated Palestinian militants to step up the number of these murderous attacks. One thing is certain: If they continue, Israel could become off-limits to Palestinians, period.

If that should happen, the Palestinians could congratulate themselves for turning the clock back to 1967, when they were driven from Jerusalem and the West Bank was placed under Israeli occupation. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has been isolated politically as well as geographically. Israeli tanks now surround his compound, and the airport in Gaza City is in shambles.

The illogic that propels Palestinian fanatics is mindboggling to outside observers. To mount repeated attacks against civilians on Israel’s streets while the world is riveted as never before on the horror of religious terrorism is indeed suicidal. There is no support for these murders, except among other fanatics.

Nor are there many expressions of support for Arafat from leaders in the Middle East or anywhere else. Arafat cannot control the killers but he could have condemned them when this round of violence began months ago. He chose not to do so, thus relegating himself to the sidelines.

The shipment of 50 tons of sophisticated weapons en route to Palestinian terrorists that Israel intercepted a few weeks ago was the last straw. Though the shipment cannot be linked directly to Arafat, his Fatah group was said to be involved.

It is nearly impossible to imagine an Israeli leader willing in the future to have enough confidence in Arafat as a leader to sit with him at a negotiating table.

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