Contrary to Prime Minister Barak’s expectations, Arafat has concluded a series of PLO-Hamas understandings, starting three days following the signing of the 1993 Oslo Accord, which temporarily ended PLO-Hamas battles. The understandings have expanded PLO-harbored Hamas terror infrastructure in an unprecedented manner. Islamic terror has been harbored/controlled/integrated – rather than dismantled – by the PLO. Hamas committed itself to limit itself to such terrorist acts, whose timing and location would not embarrass the PLO.
But, Arafat is a partner for peace…
The PLO spearheaded Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, betraying Kuwait’s hospitality of Arafat since 1959. The PLO has devastated Lebanon, stabbing the back of its host since 1970. In 1970 it attempted to violently topple King Hussein of Jordan, who provided the PLO with operational infrastructure since 1967. In 1966 it murdered Syrian officers, while benefiting from Syrian military facilities. PLO’s treacherous inter-Arab track record, and systematic violation of inter-Arab agreements, has caused Arab countries to forbid PLO personnel to bear arms on their soil.
But, Arafat is a partner for peace…
The PLO has been the key threat to Jordan’s Hashemite regime, the most consistent strategic ally of Iran and Iraq (since the rise of Khomeini and Saddam!) and of the terrorist regimes of Sudan and Afghanistan, and the last supporter of Ceaucescu, Hoeniker and other ruthless East European Communist dictators.
But, Arafat is a partner for peace…
Since Oslo 1993, the PLO has employed 14 “security organizations”, ruthless oppression, summary executions, rapes, kidnapping, torture and intimidation, in order to solidify its control over fellow-Palestinians. Newsweek (May 29, 2000) refers to Arafat as a leader of a corrupt Mafia!
But Arafat is a partner for peace…
PLO persecution of Christians has resulted in a substantial Christian emigration, transforming Bethlehem and Ramallah from an 80% Christian center to an 80% dominated Muslim towns. East Jerusalem (and neighboring villages) Arabs – fearing a PLO control of the area – flood Israel’s Interior Ministry with requests for Israeli ID cards, and relocate from PA-controlled areas into Jerusalem’s municipal lines.
But Arafat is a partner for peace…
Anti-Jewish, Anti-US and anti-Israel incitement, coupled with the heralding of homicide bombers, in PA/PLO-controlled schools, mosques and media has been intensified since the 1993 signing of the Oslo Accords! Mein Kampf and The Protocols of The Elders of Zion have been bestsellers in PLO-controlled areas. The denial of the Holocaust has been a popular and a PA-establishment-supported theme.
But, Arafat is a partner for peace…
Contrary to the moderate rhetoric showered upon Israeli and Western interlocutors, Arafat has brainwashed his own youth/people to hate Jews, to idolize terrorists, and to strive for the “return to the occupied land of 1948.” The Palestinian Media Watch has documented a systematic radicalization of hate education by the PA since the 1993 signing of the Oslo Accord.
But Arafat is a partner for peace…
Would it be logical to assume that a well-documented multi-year track record of a harborer of Hamas terrorists, a treacherous serial violator of inter-Arab agreements, a brutal suppressor of human rights, an oppressor of the Christian Palestinian minority, a chief inciter against Jews, the US and Israel, a key threat to the survival of the Hashemite regime and a traditional ally of Iraq, Iran, Sudan and other terrorist regimes would be a partner for peace?!
Continued overlooking of Arafat’s actual strategy and track record, would be a disincentive for PLO compliance, condoning PLO-Hamas collaboration, radicalizing PLO expectations, intensifying anti-Israel terror, bolstering an ally of US adversaries, undermining US’ and Israel’s national security interests and minimizing the prospects of attaining a durable peace.