Mideast’s Future Without Arafat

Re “U.S. Should Jump at This Chance to Resolve the Palestinian Issue,” Commentary, Oct. 31: Edward Arbington and Amjad Atallah say that the “president should appoint an envoy who will reflect by his or her stature the U.S. commitment to bring this conflict to a close.” Further, that “it is time for peace, and the United States must lead the way.” Interesting. Though the U.S. has a significant role in the Middle East, in reality, the Palestinians have as much, possibly more, influence than the U.S. They could have accepted the opportunity to have their own state in 1947; they refused. There have been other opportunities as well. The essential barrier to peace in the Middle East is the Palestinian Arabs, yes, and the Arab nations’ demand to have a Palestinian state, and for Israel to be a historic relic. They want it all. They want Israel to be gone.

Sheldon Kronfeld

San Diego

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A third party (United States) cannot force two parties to agree. The Palestinians should know this after Yasser Arafat refused a most generous offer from Israel in 2000 that was forced on Israel by then-President Clinton. Israel cannot be expected to make peace with a group of thugs and terrorists who refuse to recognize the right of Israel to exist. Until the Arab nations and the Palestinian Authority agree to recognize Israel’s right to exist, there will never be peace between the parties. If the Palestinians would lay down their arms, there would be peace. If Israel would lay down its arms, there would be no state of Israel.

Zach Samuels

Los Angeles

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From the Oslo accords, to the road map, to the Gaza plan, so much has changed and so much remains the same since the second intifada began. Now, or inevitably, Arafat will pass away, and there is clearly no succession plan coming out of Israel, Europe or the U.S. about what happens next. Arafat is a recognized terrorist leader (PLO), Nobel Prize for Peace recipient and leader of the Palestinian people.

Is Israel safer than it was before the latest Palestinian uprising began? Are the Palestinian people better off? I’m not sure about either case, but without a plan, I’m nervous about the future without Arafat. For better or for worse.

Dan Witzling

Los Angeles