Arafat Brain Dead - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

D Rice · 11-04-2004, 03:07 PM

Israel and Palestinians brace for worst with Arafat 'brain dead'
JERUSALEM (AFP) - Political leaders in Israel and the West Bank steeled themselves for the end of the Yasser Arafat (news - web sites) era as the vanguard of the Palestinian nationalist struggle for the past four decades lay brain dead in a Paris hospital.

Palestinian officials fiercely denied that Arafat had passed away after Israeli media reported that the 75-year-old had died.

But while French medical sources said Arafat was technically still alive, they added that he was "brain dead" and only breathing with the help of life support machines while in an irreversible coma.

Technically, Arafat is "not dead," one source told AFP on condition of confidentiality. But there was no hope of him leaving his vegetative state and recovering basic bodily functions such as breathing without assistance.

Such artificial care can be "extended for several days or several weeks thanks to the machines," the source said.

Israel's private Channel 2 network and army radio had reported that Arafat had been declared dead at a military hospital in Clamart, southwest of Paris.

But Azzam al-Ahmed, communications minister in the Palestinian cabinet and one of Arafat's closest allies, insisted news of his death was premature.

"It is wrong. If the president was dead, the whole world would know," he told AFP. "But it is true that he is a very critical condition."

Arafat was flown to Paris last Friday for treatment of a blood disorder after being airlifted from the compound in the West Bank town of Ramallah where he had been under effective Israeli house arrest for nearly three years.

Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qorei had earlier tried to play down the seriousness of Arafat's condition, denying he was in a coma and insisting new test results had been positive.

Qorei had been attending emergency leadership meetings of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and the dominant Fatah (news - web sites) party. Both have been led by Arafat for some four decades, but were chaired Thursday by former premier Mahmud Abbas.

Hundreds of Fatah supporters brandished portraits of Arafat as they took to the streets of Gaza City late Thursday while prayers were said for his welfare.

"We pray to Almighty God for the swift recovery of our president Yasser Arafat so that he can return to his people in good health," said the imam at Gaza's Sheikh Zayid mosque.

Residents in Ramallah were glued to their television sets for updates on the town's famous resident.

"I can't bear the thought he will die for good. He's our national leader, the one and only," said 33-year-old Mohammed Ribhi as his eyes filled with tears.

Amid widespread fears that Arafat's death could trigger chaos on the streets of the West Bank and Gaza Strip (news - web sites), all members of the Palestinian security services were placed on a state of alert Thursday.

"The security forces have been put on a state of alert and all members ordered to be on standby," one senior officer said.

"We have been told to prepare for any activity which is beyond the law and to protect the legitimacy of all the Palestinian institutions."

Signs of nerves on the Israeli side were also evident as troops in the occupied territories were placed on alert after Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz called a meeting in Tel Aviv attended by the heads of the country's security services.

Israeli public television, meanwhile, reported that army commanders were to urge the government to capitalise on Arafat's demise by working more closely with the Palestinians.

The army has drawn up plans, codenamed "New Page", to deal with all possible eventualities should Arafat die. But officers would also urge the government to coordinate its withdrawal of settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip (news - web sites), due to take place by the end of 2005, with Arafat's successors, the television said.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) has refused all dealings with Arafat since coming to power in 2001, instead confining him to his West Bank headquarters until his dramatic airlift to Paris last Friday.

Arafat's death or permanent incapacitation has the potential to galvanise the Middle East peace process.

Sharon met Abbas on a number of occasions last year before a massive suicide bomb prompted Israel to freeze top-level contacts with the Palestinians.

Arafat has also been snubbed by US President George W. Bush (news - web sites). Asked for his reaction to the reports of Arafat's death, Bush said "God bless his soul".

____________________
Copyright © 2004 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AFP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of Agence France Presse.
Copyright © 2004 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.

Edit: Added Link

cthulu23 · 11-04-2004, 03:11 PM

Although Arrafat has been rushed to intensive care, his doctors deny the rumors of brain death, as they denied the earlier death rumors.

See sfgate story (the first hit on google news):

Quote:

Israel TV's Channel Two reported that Arafat was brain dead and remained on life support.

However, Arafat's personal physician, Dr. Ashraf Kurdi, told Dubai-based Al-Arabiya television that "Arafat has no type of brain death." He also said a brain scan showed that Arafat had not suffered a hemorrhage or stroke.

I wish that his seemingly impending demise made me more hopeful for the prospects of peace in Israel and Palestein but his powers have been dwindling over the years.

Mephisto2 · 11-04-2004, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Arafat reportedly close to death
November 5, 2004 - 10:04AM

A gravely ill Yasser Arafat reportedly slipped into a coma and anxious Palestinian officials held an emergency meeting on how to prevent unrest as their 75-year-old leader lay close to death.

A swirl of reports saying Arafat had died were quashed by doctors at a French military hospital where the Palestinian leader has been treated since being airlifted to France last week.

Arafat's aides, however, acknowledged that his condition was very serious.

A senior Palestinian official said Arafat was in a coma in the intensive care unit.

Arafat's chief of staff, Ramzi Khoury, called an Associated Press reporter and said: "I am standing next to the president's bed, he is in grave condition".

Outside the hospital, 50 wellwishers held a vigil late into the evening. Some held candles, others Arafat portraits; a large Palestinian flag hung from the hospital's outer wall.

"It tears your heart up," said Mahmod Nimr, 36, an unemployed Palestinian by the main gate of the hospital.

"I can't see someone taking his place."

On a day of high drama, there were persistent and contradictory reports about Arafat's condition.

Luxembourg's prime minister announced at a summit of European leaders in Brussels that Arafat had died, but his spokesman later said it had been a "misunderstanding".

The Israeli television network Channel Two reported that Arafat was brain dead but remained on life support. But Arafat's personal physician, Dr Ashraf Kurdi, said that a brain scan showed Arafat had not suffered a haemorrhage or stroke, and "has no type of brain death".

Brain death occurs when the brain stops working, making it impossible for the body to maintain its own vital functions, such as breathing. It is irreversible. Patients can be kept alive by a machine, as long as the heart is still beating and nothing is seriously wrong with the rest of the body.

French television station LCI quoted an anonymous French medical official as saying Arafat was in an "irreversible coma" and "intubated" - a process that involves threading a tube down the windpipe to the lungs to connect it to a life-support machine to help the patient breathe.

To be on life-support, a patient must be unconscious, but not necessarily brain dead or even in a coma.

A Palestinian official in Gaza who is close to Arafat's wife, Suha, said she told him Arafat fell unconscious after receiving a strong anaesthetic for a biopsy.

The official quoted her as saying Arafat was recovering.

Palestinian leaders held an emergency meeting in the West Bank, and Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath said top officials were in touch with Arafat's hospital every 30 minutes to check on his condition.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie had assumed some of Arafat's financial powers, a Palestinian official said.

"The Palestinian leadership is in constant meeting to follow up on the president's health," Shaath said from Ramallah, where leaders of the PLO and Arafat's Fatah movement were meeting.

A prolonged Arafat incapacitation - or death - could have profound impact on the Middle East.

There are fears of unrest among Palestinian factions, which Arafat, viewed as a national symbol by even some who opposed him, was largely able to prevent. Furthermore, chaos in the West Bank and Gaza could make any cooperation with Israel even more difficult.

On the other hand, Israel and the United States have in recent years shunned Arafat as a terrorist and an obstacle to peace, and his replacement by a new leadership could open the door to renewed peace talks. Such a scenario could affect Israel's current plans to pull soldiers and settlers out of the Gaza Strip in a unilateral move not coordinated with the Palestinians.

Former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas said Qurie would go to the Gaza Strip on Saturday to order security chiefs to show solidarity and not fight during this difficult time, a Palestinian official said.

The Israeli army, which is on high alert, has a plan to deal with the fallout from Arafat's death, including possible Palestinian riots.

The Israeli military had not yet moved forces to anticipated problem areas, but commanders were told to be on standby.

Among Israel's plans are ways to prevent Arafat from being buried in Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said he would not permit Arafat to be buried in the city, claimed by both Israel and the Palestinians as their capital.

Army chiefs said they were opposed to Arafat's burial in Jerusalem or the nearby suburb of Abu Dis in the West Bank. Arafat's family has a plot in the Gaza Strip.

Arafat was taken to intensive care after his condition worsened on Thursday. French President Jacques Chirac went to the hospital and saw Arafat and his wife, "to whom he expressed his best wishes," Chirac's office said. The president also met members of the Palestinian Authority and doctors.

French physicians have not revealed Arafat's illness and his condition has largely remained a mystery.

© 2004 AP

REF: http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Ara...547356254.html

It seems a bit petty, if not downright malicious, to prevent his possible burial in Jerusalem. There's also the issue of the instability his death would bring to the region. Like him or not, he is the leader of the Palestinians and a "national" icon to them. Who knows what will happen, as there is no real clear replacement.

And, I know this is probably a pointless appeal, but can we keep the invective to a minimum in this thread?

Mr Mephisto

cthulu23 · 11-04-2004, 03:48 PM

Good luck, Mr M. To some here, restrictions of "tastefulness" only applies when referencing their own side.

You do raise an interesting point. Contrary to the opinions of many here, his death could very well make matters worse rather than better. I'm reminded of that old adage, "be careful what you wish for."

reiii · 11-04-2004, 03:54 PM

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=aids+arafat

If it's true well never know. I heard he had an abnormal cell count with no indications of leukemia...could be... could be...

Mojo_PeiPei · 11-04-2004, 03:55 PM

I pray for his death. I hope it will bring Palestinian moderates to the table, which will in turn bring back American and Israel to the bargaining table.

Arafat along with Arabs as a whole are deplorable. For years they have been selfishly pimping the plight of the Palestinian people. I find it funny that the more leftist of the TFP constantly remind us of the democratically elected Arafat, but fail to show the same respect to our own President Shrub. Arafat is a monster, and he has the blood of thousands on his hands. I can only hope that an eternity of suffering awaits him.

KMA-628 · 11-04-2004, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo_PeiPei

I pray for his death

that didn't take long......

FoolThemAll · 11-04-2004, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo_PeiPei

Arafat along with Arabs as a whole are deplorable.

You lost me there. Bad phrasing or blatant racism.

Mephisto2 · 11-04-2004, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo_PeiPei

I pray for his death.

Isn't that a contradiction in terms?

Presuming you're Christian that is...

Mr Mephisto

Mojo_PeiPei · 11-04-2004, 04:16 PM

Look at the plight of the people of Palestine. They are being pimped. Tell me Arafat had their interests at heart when he lived as a millionare hundreds time over. Talk to the Jordians who suffered under the PLO, talk to the Lebanese. Arafat was a goon, nobody was better with him in power Palestinian or Israeli.

With him gone I hope a moderate can assume power and work to reach some reasonable peace.

Mojo_PeiPei · 11-04-2004, 04:16 PM

I am Christian but I fundamentally believe you reap what you sow. Arafat was a hate and warmongerer. Death is his legacy.

Mephisto2 · 11-04-2004, 04:37 PM

I won't degenerate into arguing the theological issues of a Christian praying to God for someone else's death, so let's just leave it as a difference of opinion.

Arafat is no angel, but like it or not, he has huge support amongst the Palestinian people. You can't ignore him because you don't like him. Well, you can but you shouldn't.

Rather than simply making sweeping generalizations, perhaps we can actually discuss this constructively. Your call that you hope for a moderate to replace him is a good start. Which one?

Don't tell me you're making judgements on the situation without actually knowing who is inline, their respective positions and what the potential outcomes are?!

Mr Mephisto

maleficent · 11-04-2004, 04:56 PM

Hasn't Hamas pretty much pushed out the PLO as a political power in Palestine? So, other than Arafat being a figurehead, ...trying to phrase this question appropriately... Why should his death matter? (and I'm not negating the importance of a figurehead)

Has he been keeping Hamas in line? The PLO, to the best of my limited knowledge of the Mid East, has been somewhat quiet... but Hamas hasn't. So what will really change when he dies?

roachboy · 11-04-2004, 06:03 PM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Sto...343098,00.html

this is still a confusing situation.

i have to say, however, that i was appalled--even by the reduced standards that i sometimes have to bring to this place--by the racist post above from mojo.
particularly this:

Quote:

Arafat along with Arabs as a whole are deplorable.

why is this ok?

the assumption that arafat would be succeeded by a moderate--given israeli actions in the context of the occupation---is at best wishful thinking. like the wolfowitz claim that the war in iraq would be short and painless because the americans would be welcomed as liberators. wishful thinking/delusion: where is the line, really?

you reap what you sow.

cthulu23 · 11-04-2004, 06:10 PM

Broad brush racism and murderous intentions are now Christian values, I guess. what would Jesus do? Invade another nation, of course!

alansmithee · 11-04-2004, 06:26 PM

Man, what a shame. This kindly old man, lover of all peoples, winner of the Nobel Peace prize, is possibly dying. It is truly a shame, right up with the deaths of MLK Jr and Gandhi. Now, who will promote tolerance and love of their fellow man in Israel? Who can the liberals look to as a beacon of hope in the middle east now? I guess they still can have their hero Osama, but he too is old. What is needed is younger men like these, who so look after their fellow man, and treat all with kindness and love. How else can students at Berkely and NYU find their future heroes? His death, would be a great loss for liberals, and lovers of peace in general, across the globe.

cthulu23 · 11-04-2004, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alansmithee

Man, what a shame. This kindly old man, lover of all peoples, winner of the Nobel Peace prize, is possibly dying. It is truly a shame, right up with the deaths of MLK Jr and Gandhi. Now, who will promote tolerance and love of their fellow man in Israel? Who can the liberals look to as a beacon of hope in the middle east now? I guess they still can have their hero Osama, but he too is old. What is needed is younger men like these, who so look after their fellow man, and treat all with kindness and love. How else can students at Berkely and NYU find their future heroes? His death, would be a great loss for liberals, and lovers of peace in general, across the globe.

And who, exactly, is saying all of these things?Could it be that you're working from assumptions?

james t kirk · 11-04-2004, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo_PeiPei

I pray for his death. I hope it will bring Palestinian moderates to the table, which will in turn bring back American and Israel to the bargaining table.

Arafat along with Arabs as a whole are deplorable. For years they have been selfishly pimping the plight of the Palestinian people. I find it funny that the more leftist of the TFP constantly remind us of the democratically elected Arafat, but fail to show the same respect to our own President Shrub. Arafat is a monster, and he has the blood of thousands on his hands. I can only hope that an eternity of suffering awaits him.

Arafat is a moderate.

Wait till you see what replaces him.

OFKU0 · 11-04-2004, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo_PeiPei

Arafat along with Arabs as a whole are deplorable.

Maybe you and a few others can get together and have an all out racist anti-Arab thread just so you can get a good nights sleep.

And yet any warranted criticism of any sort regarding Israel on this board and automatically it is anti-semitism. Oh to be so special that the world looks at those with such envy perched on their pedestals surrounded only with their kind, the chosen ones.

Anyways, back to the real world. As stated before, this is a golden opportunity for Bush to push for a sovereign Palestinian state and the best chance he will have to build up public opinions and diplomatic resolve in the Arab world.

The hard part won't be convincing the Arabs but rather the Jews, since a Palestinian state would be seen as a failure to Jews because they don't think the Palestinians are worthy of statehood or worthy enough to be recognized as a people. Just ask Benjamin Netenyahu. But that isn't a racist point of view on his part because he is Jewish. Never is.

The other obstacle is Sharon. As long as he is alive, nothing will change. It will probably get worse if that is possible. One terrorist out of the picture,that being Arafat, a ray of hope is possible. The other terrorist out of the way, that being Sharon, and the room gets much brighter. Did I just say Sharon was a terrorist? Fucking anti-semite I am.

SLM3 · 11-04-2004, 07:33 PM

The Palestinian cause was his life, and for that I have the highest respect for him. I wish that the shift in authority didn't have to occur this way as the result will be a power vacuum that I don't think will help anyone.

I have a lot of critiques for Arafat, but now is not the time.

smooth · 11-04-2004, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roachboy

why is this ok?

I have no plausible idea why posts like that are acceptable while more innocuous ones are censored.

it makes no sense to me.

skyscan · 11-04-2004, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smooth

I have no plausible idea why posts like that are acceptable while more innocuous ones are censored.

it makes no sense to me.

Smooth, for once we agree. I second the motion to edit the comment that more or less states that all actions taken by any Arab are "deplorable."

If we want peace for Israel and Palestine? Not condoning racism is a good start.

irateplatypus · 11-04-2004, 08:35 PM

i will mourn arafat's death...

not because he was a good statesman, or because he will be missed. i will mourn him because his was a life of wasted opportunity. he could have done so much more...

Ilow · 11-04-2004, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyscan

Smooth, for once we agree. I second the motion to edit the comment that more or less states that all actions taken by any Arab are "deplorable."

If we want peace for Israel and Palestine? Not condoning racism is a good start.

nah let's let it be, that way people's true natures are exposed. By the way, as was already mentioned, wait until you see who replaces him [scoffs], moderate? Please.

Mephisto2 · 11-04-2004, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irateplatypus

i will mourn arafat's death...

not because he was a good statesman, or because he will be missed. i will mourn him because his was a life of wasted opportunity. he could have done so much more...

Well, one could say the following.

- Arafat and the PLO brought the Palestinian crisis onto the world stage.

- When Arafat began his life, the Palestinian people were 100% disenfranchised and "stateless". Today they have their own proto-state and elected representatives.

- Arafat has reigned in some of the militants more radical groups (disagree if you want, but the facts are he did).

- Arafat is the most popular Palestinian politician (with his own people) bar none.

All of these opinions, and more, would be shared by his supporters. Many would say that his life was productive. Of course he could have done more. But I honestly think that with hard-liners on each side, little progress could have been made.

Let me finish with these "sound bites".

Israel is equally guilty of abandoning the "Roadmap for Peace" and the Oslo Accords.

Israel is guilty of a)International Law and b)Israeli Law in building its so-called security wall. I wonder if the US will support a "West Bank Airlift" like they did when the GDR and Soviet Union did something similar in a European city called Berlin.

The only Israeli PM to die at the hands of terrorism was assassinated by a extremist; an Israeli Jewish fundamentalist extremist.

I'm no fan of Palestinian terrorism, or any terrorism for that matter. Unlike 99% of this board, I've actually lived with it. Unlike the majority of this board, I have personal Palestinian and Jewish friends. Guess what? Outside the boilerhouse of Palestinian/Israeli politics, they actually tend to get on. Unlike the majority of this board, I have actually been to Israel and the West Bank.

So please, keep your attacks on my biased opinion to youself. It's not biased to support the Palestinian cause for their own state. It's not anti-semitic. It's not anti-Israeli.

Mr Mephisto

Charlatan · 11-05-2004, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo_PeiPei

Arafat along with Arabs as a whole are deplorable. For years they have been selfishly pimping the plight of the Palestinian people. I find it funny that the more leftist of the TFP constantly remind us of the democratically elected Arafat, but fail to show the same respect to our own President Shrub. Arafat is a monster, and he has the blood of thousands on his hands. I can only hope that an eternity of suffering awaits him.

I can think of many elected officials with the blood of thousands on their hands. Would you call them monsters as well... probably not the one I'm thinking of right now...

One man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter.

powerclown · 11-05-2004, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irateplatypus

i will mourn arafat's death...

not because he was a good statesman, or because he will be missed. i will mourn him because his was a life of wasted opportunity. he could have done so much more...

I won't mourn his death for precisely your explanation. He could have used his power constructively, but chose not to. What I will mourn is the rise of a new Palestinean leadership as incompetent as he was; I hope they choose their leader well.

This is the Palestineans best chance in 40 years to do something positive for themselves.

D Rice · 11-05-2004, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cthulu23

Good luck, Mr M. To some here, restrictions of "tastefulness" only applies when referencing their own side.

You do raise an interesting point. Contrary to the opinions of many here, his death could very well make matters worse rather than better. I'm reminded of that old adage, "be careful what you wish for."

Your picture is tasteless

roachboy · 11-06-2004, 09:58 AM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Sto...345031,00.html

this is interesting: it appears that sharon is not willing to let arafat be buried in jerusalem, as his will stipulates he wanted (wants?) to be--i do not understand the thinking behind the move. it seems like a huge huge provocation. for no good end.

what do you think?

(should this be another thread?)

Thermopyle · 11-06-2004, 10:31 AM

He seems to getting better...showing life signs they say (on swedish tv). Stubborn old fellow this arafat.

SiN · 11-06-2004, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilow

nah let's let it be, that way people's true natures are exposed.

That's my current line of thinking.

Note to all: saying such things is exactly how to earn yourself a warning.

irateplatypus · 11-06-2004, 01:18 PM

some palestinian representatives, including diplomats and Arafat's doctor, are saying Arafat was poisoned.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_r...p-214174c.html

w/Arafat not appointing a successor and wanting to be buried in Jerusalem... this could get ugly.

Mojo_PeiPei · 11-06-2004, 01:35 PM

Way to take my original post out of context, the Arabs along with Arafat are deplorable, they have selfishly been exploiting the plight of the Palestinians for their own gain. This is historical fact. What is racist about that?

Manx · 11-06-2004, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roachboy

http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Sto...345031,00.html

this is interesting: it appears that sharon is not willing to let arafat be buried in jerusalem, as his will stipulates he wanted (wants?) to be--i do not understand the thinking behind the move. it seems like a huge huge provocation. for no good end.

what do you think?

(should this be another thread?)

I would say it is the purest exemplification of the entire conflict.

Israel will not budge. And the Palestinians will get more desperate. Israel will then use the manifestation of the Palestinian desperation to justify their own stubborness.

roachboy · 11-06-2004, 03:39 PM

it is as if the israelis hope to add fuel to the fire of a possible civil war, in order to use it as a pretext to *really* crush the palestinians militarily, politically
at which point sharon's older objectives can re-emerge: to advocate the "greater israel" as de facto already extant because there is no cohernet political entity amongst the palestinians with which to negociate.
it has informed sharon's treatment of the plo already.
against the backdrop of a brutal occupation.

cbr9racr · 11-07-2004, 07:05 AM

good riddance.

11-04-2004, 03:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
D Rice Tilted	Arafat braindead Israel and Palestinians brace for worst with Arafat 'brain dead' JERUSALEM (AFP) - Political leaders in Israel and the West Bank steeled themselves for the end of the Yasser Arafat (news - web sites) era as the vanguard of the Palestinian nationalist struggle for the past four decades lay brain dead in a Paris hospital. Palestinian officials fiercely denied that Arafat had passed away after Israeli media reported that the 75-year-old had died. But while French medical sources said Arafat was technically still alive, they added that he was "brain dead" and only breathing with the help of life support machines while in an irreversible coma. Technically, Arafat is "not dead," one source told AFP on condition of confidentiality. But there was no hope of him leaving his vegetative state and recovering basic bodily functions such as breathing without assistance. Such artificial care can be "extended for several days or several weeks thanks to the machines," the source said. Israel's private Channel 2 network and army radio had reported that Arafat had been declared dead at a military hospital in Clamart, southwest of Paris. But Azzam al-Ahmed, communications minister in the Palestinian cabinet and one of Arafat's closest allies, insisted news of his death was premature. "It is wrong. If the president was dead, the whole world would know," he told AFP. "But it is true that he is a very critical condition." Arafat was flown to Paris last Friday for treatment of a blood disorder after being airlifted from the compound in the West Bank town of Ramallah where he had been under effective Israeli house arrest for nearly three years. Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qorei had earlier tried to play down the seriousness of Arafat's condition, denying he was in a coma and insisting new test results had been positive. Qorei had been attending emergency leadership meetings of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and the dominant Fatah (news - web sites) party. Both have been led by Arafat for some four decades, but were chaired Thursday by former premier Mahmud Abbas. Hundreds of Fatah supporters brandished portraits of Arafat as they took to the streets of Gaza City late Thursday while prayers were said for his welfare. "We pray to Almighty God for the swift recovery of our president Yasser Arafat so that he can return to his people in good health," said the imam at Gaza's Sheikh Zayid mosque. Residents in Ramallah were glued to their television sets for updates on the town's famous resident. "I can't bear the thought he will die for good. He's our national leader, the one and only," said 33-year-old Mohammed Ribhi as his eyes filled with tears. Amid widespread fears that Arafat's death could trigger chaos on the streets of the West Bank and Gaza Strip (news - web sites), all members of the Palestinian security services were placed on a state of alert Thursday. "The security forces have been put on a state of alert and all members ordered to be on standby," one senior officer said. "We have been told to prepare for any activity which is beyond the law and to protect the legitimacy of all the Palestinian institutions." Signs of nerves on the Israeli side were also evident as troops in the occupied territories were placed on alert after Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz called a meeting in Tel Aviv attended by the heads of the country's security services. Israeli public television, meanwhile, reported that army commanders were to urge the government to capitalise on Arafat's demise by working more closely with the Palestinians. The army has drawn up plans, codenamed "New Page", to deal with all possible eventualities should Arafat die. But officers would also urge the government to coordinate its withdrawal of settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip (news - web sites), due to take place by the end of 2005, with Arafat's successors, the television said. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) has refused all dealings with Arafat since coming to power in 2001, instead confining him to his West Bank headquarters until his dramatic airlift to Paris last Friday. Arafat's death or permanent incapacitation has the potential to galvanise the Middle East peace process. Sharon met Abbas on a number of occasions last year before a massive suicide bomb prompted Israel to freeze top-level contacts with the Palestinians. Arafat has also been snubbed by US President George W. Bush (news - web sites). Asked for his reaction to the reports of Arafat's death, Bush said "God bless his soul". ____________________ Copyright © 2004 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AFP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of Agence France Presse. Copyright © 2004 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved. Edit: Added Link Last edited by maleficent; 11-04-2004 at 03:16 PM..

11-04-2004, 03:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
reiii unstuck in time Location: Nashville/D.C.	Arafat is dying of AIDS? http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=aids+arafat If it's true well never know. I heard he had an abnormal cell count with no indications of leukemia...could be... could be... __________________ "Jombe? The chocolate icing" -hedonism bot

11-04-2004, 03:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mojo_PeiPei Kiss of Death Location: Perpetual wind and sorrow	I pray for his death. I hope it will bring Palestinian moderates to the table, which will in turn bring back American and Israel to the bargaining table. Arafat along with Arabs as a whole are deplorable. For years they have been selfishly pimping the plight of the Palestinian people. I find it funny that the more leftist of the TFP constantly remind us of the democratically elected Arafat, but fail to show the same respect to our own President Shrub. Arafat is a monster, and he has the blood of thousands on his hands. I can only hope that an eternity of suffering awaits him. __________________ To win a war you must serve no master but your ambition.

11-04-2004, 04:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mojo_PeiPei Kiss of Death Location: Perpetual wind and sorrow	Look at the plight of the people of Palestine. They are being pimped. Tell me Arafat had their interests at heart when he lived as a millionare hundreds time over. Talk to the Jordians who suffered under the PLO, talk to the Lebanese. Arafat was a goon, nobody was better with him in power Palestinian or Israeli. With him gone I hope a moderate can assume power and work to reach some reasonable peace. __________________ To win a war you must serve no master but your ambition.

11-04-2004, 04:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
Mojo_PeiPei Kiss of Death Location: Perpetual wind and sorrow	I am Christian but I fundamentally believe you reap what you sow. Arafat was a hate and warmongerer. Death is his legacy. __________________ To win a war you must serve no master but your ambition.

11-04-2004, 03:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
cthulu23 Banned	Good luck, Mr M. To some here, restrictions of "tastefulness" only applies when referencing their own side. You do raise an interesting point. Contrary to the opinions of many here, his death could very well make matters worse rather than better. I'm reminded of that old adage, "be careful what you wish for."

11-04-2004, 04:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	I won't degenerate into arguing the theological issues of a Christian praying to God for someone else's death, so let's just leave it as a difference of opinion. Arafat is no angel, but like it or not, he has huge support amongst the Palestinian people. You can't ignore him because you don't like him. Well, you can but you shouldn't. Rather than simply making sweeping generalizations, perhaps we can actually discuss this constructively. Your call that you hope for a moderate to replace him is a good start. Which one? Don't tell me you're making judgements on the situation without actually knowing who is inline, their respective positions and what the potential outcomes are?! Mr Mephisto

11-04-2004, 04:56 PM	#13 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Hasn't Hamas pretty much pushed out the PLO as a political power in Palestine? So, other than Arafat being a figurehead, ...trying to phrase this question appropriately... Why should his death matter? (and I'm not negating the importance of a figurehead) Has he been keeping Hamas in line? The PLO, to the best of my limited knowledge of the Mid East, has been somewhat quiet... but Hamas hasn't. So what will really change when he dies? __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

11-04-2004, 06:10 PM	#15 (permalink)
cthulu23 Banned	Broad brush racism and murderous intentions are now Christian values, I guess. what would Jesus do? Invade another nation, of course!

11-04-2004, 06:26 PM	#16 (permalink)
alansmithee Junkie	Man, what a shame. This kindly old man, lover of all peoples, winner of the Nobel Peace prize, is possibly dying. It is truly a shame, right up with the deaths of MLK Jr and Gandhi. Now, who will promote tolerance and love of their fellow man in Israel? Who can the liberals look to as a beacon of hope in the middle east now? I guess they still can have their hero Osama, but he too is old. What is needed is younger men like these, who so look after their fellow man, and treat all with kindness and love. How else can students at Berkely and NYU find their future heroes? His death, would be a great loss for liberals, and lovers of peace in general, across the globe.

11-04-2004, 07:33 PM	#20 (permalink)
SLM3 Insane	The Palestinian cause was his life, and for that I have the highest respect for him. I wish that the shift in authority didn't have to occur this way as the result will be a power vacuum that I don't think will help anyone. I have a lot of critiques for Arafat, but now is not the time.

11-04-2004, 08:35 PM	#23 (permalink)
irateplatypus can't help but laugh Location: dar al-harb	i will mourn arafat's death... not because he was a good statesman, or because he will be missed. i will mourn him because his was a life of wasted opportunity. he could have done so much more... __________________ If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves. ~ Winston Churchill

11-06-2004, 09:58 AM	#29 (permalink)
roachboy Super Moderator Location: essex ma	http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Sto...345031,00.html this is interesting: it appears that sharon is not willing to let arafat be buried in jerusalem, as his will stipulates he wanted (wants?) to be--i do not understand the thinking behind the move. it seems like a huge huge provocation. for no good end. what do you think? (should this be another thread?) __________________ a gramophone its corrugated trumpet silver handle spinning dog. such faithfulness it hear it make you sick. -kamau brathwaite

11-06-2004, 10:31 AM	#30 (permalink)
Thermopyle Crazy Location: Top of the World, Mom!	He seems to getting better...showing life signs they say (on swedish tv). Stubborn old fellow this arafat. __________________ Live life like you're gonna die, beacause you're gonna! - William Shatner.

11-06-2004, 01:18 PM	#32 (permalink)
irateplatypus can't help but laugh Location: dar al-harb	some palestinian representatives, including diplomats and Arafat's doctor, are saying Arafat was poisoned. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_r...p-214174c.html w/Arafat not appointing a successor and wanting to be buried in Jerusalem... this could get ugly. __________________ If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves. ~ Winston Churchill

11-06-2004, 01:35 PM	#33 (permalink)
Mojo_PeiPei Kiss of Death Location: Perpetual wind and sorrow	Way to take my original post out of context, the Arabs along with Arafat are deplorable, they have selfishly been exploiting the plight of the Palestinians for their own gain. This is historical fact. What is racist about that? __________________ To win a war you must serve no master but your ambition. Last edited by Mojo_PeiPei; 11-06-2004 at 01:39 PM..

11-06-2004, 03:39 PM	#35 (permalink)
roachboy Super Moderator Location: essex ma	it is as if the israelis hope to add fuel to the fire of a possible civil war, in order to use it as a pretext to really crush the palestinians militarily, politically at which point sharon's older objectives can re-emerge: to advocate the "greater israel" as de facto already extant because there is no cohernet political entity amongst the palestinians with which to negociate. it has informed sharon's treatment of the plo already. against the backdrop of a brutal occupation. __________________ a gramophone its corrugated trumpet silver handle spinning dog. such faithfulness it hear it make you sick. -kamau brathwaite

11-07-2004, 07:05 AM	#36 (permalink)
cbr9racr Upright	good riddance.