This stands to be reiterated:
"Even if you prove to me that the present war in Lebanon is a dirty immoral war, I don't care," he said. ". . . Even today I am willing to volunteer to do the dirty work for Israel, to kill as many Arabs as necessary, to deport them, to expel and burn them, to have everyone hate us. . . . And I don't mind if after the job is done you put me in front of a Nuremberg trial and then jail me for life. Hang me if you want, as a war criminal . . ."
This is who Arafat put into office in Israel with his intransigence. A nation with a strong liberal, some say socialist, flavor, and 20% Arab population....
And they were so frustrated over the lack of progress in a peace process, and the increasing violence, that they elected someone to do their "dirty work"..
Until Arafat dies, or is replaced with a more moderate leadership, Sharon or Netayahu, will likely be the primary power brokers in the Israeli government for years to come.
Hawk |
