Arafat's Legacy

Andrew McCarthy of NRO reviews Arafat's true legacy.

About him, while there is much to say, there is little to glean. He was a thug. One of the most cunning of all time for sure, but quite simply a ruthless, thoroughly corrupt, will-to-power thug.

The Newspapers are full of articles along the lines of "There is now a new opportunity for peace", and speaking of the need to support Palestinian moderates. While hopeful, this is pure nonsense. Basically, what all these articles mean is that there is now a new opportunity to pressure Israel into concessions. Most of the "moderate" Palestinians were systematically killed or moved out by Arafat over the last 10 years. The ones that are left are powerless. To think that they would somehow be able to stop terror attacks or to oppose Hamas, Islamic Jihad, or al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, is simply wishful thinking. And given the fact that the Palestinian population has become highly radicalized under the brainwashing of Arafat, the attitude necessary for peace - the populations' acceptance of Israel - will not exist for at least a generation. Any attempt to impose a solution, as Clinton tried, will only result in more bloodshed.