My surprise was at this statement:
You don't think Arafat is a terrorist?
I did not see where you got that out from, especially since it has no connection to what we were talking about.
Now to answer your question:
What do you think of Arafat? Is he in your opinion a leader with high integrity, a freedom fighter, a crook, terrorist, or what?
I don't know about his integrity (just like I cannot answer that for any other leader, either), but he is definitely fighting for the freedom of his people (which makes him a "freedom fighter", I guess). I do not know if he personally uses terrorist means to achieve this goal, but I do think he rides the way - i.e. he sees that Palestinians are hurting Israel back more than before due to suicide bombers and he is not really doing much to stop it, because it gives him a hand to play. Still, I am pretty sure that he cannot stop terrorism even if he wants to at this point.
On the other hand, I think he is far from the ideal leader. For one thing, he lacks the vision. I see no plans, no moves towards the ideal. He is also getting old, and possibly senile - just watch that lower lip quiver as he speaks :-)
As for whether he is a "crook" - what is the opposite, a "good business man"? Are you saying he takes bribes? Or what? |
