Arafat, the Palestinians and Israel The Politics of Masks and Paradox

Yasser Arafat is undoubtedly the most resilient politician in the Middle East. He has been at the crossroads of international and political terror for the past 40 years. This book brings to light the many masks of Arafat, and shows that he is as much a terrorist as a negotiator; as much a warmonger as a leader of the Palestinian people. Contrary to Arafat's belief that his long-term strategy of lies, confusion, and violence strengthens the case for the return of the Palestinians to Palestine, his actions have only had a negative effect in the Middle East. Hamas and Islamic Jihad are out of control, and abroad Arafat is blamed for the collapse in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. There is a political approach in Israel and the West that claims that Arafat has no clear strategic plan and misses historic opportunities for his people. For David Bukay this political approach is culturally flawed: it expresses the 'problem' in Western terms, without considering the Arab political reality, namely that violent determination will bring about Israeli flight from the Territories, that time is irrelevant to this goal, and that political agreements are there to be broken in order to disrupt a final political solution. The political paradox is threefold: (1) Most Middle East countries would like to see Arafat step down, but they fear that his demise may create deep instability on the 'Arab street' and therefore grant him immunity; (2) By actively promoting the 'peace camp' in Israel, Arafat hinders a political resolution with the Palestinians; and (3) By financing indiscriminate terrorism in the Territories he alienates the world from Palestinian rights and aspirations. The author shows that Arafat's personality is shaped by the politics of paranoia and paradox. A character study of his attitude and motivation toward the Palestinian people, other Arab states, Israel, and in the international arena, reveals a deluded leader, suspicious and determined to maintain his authority; a leader whose grandiose style demonstrates a conservative, closed way of thinking. Arafat's persona is most clearly expressed in his negotiations management. The signing of the Oslo Accords encouraged acts of terror that, paradoxically, resulted in extra land being granted to the Palestinian Authority. While some argue that Arafat missed an opportunity for lasting peace at Oslo and at Camp David, the fact is that Arafat took another step toward his ultimate goal -- the destruction of the State of Israel. It is an aim he has never lost sight of, even if the West has. Contents: Introduction: Who Is Yasser Arafat?; Palestine -- The Land and the People; Arafat -- The Personality, the Leadership, and the Myth; Personality: The Politics of Paranoia; Leadership: The Politics of Patrimonialism; Arafat and Israel -- Ideological and Political Perspectives; Arafat and Israel -- The Politics of Terrorism; Arafat's Terrorism in Practice; Arafat's Instruments of Terrorism; Epilogue: Israel, Oslo, and Arafat.Bukay, David is the author of 'Arafat, the Palestinians and Israel The Politics of Masks and Paradox', published 2004 under ISBN 9781845190101 and ISBN 1845190106.