re: arafat dead/time for healing
The kind of attitude espoused in the previous post crystallises the problem of the middle east. Bilnd hatred which blocks out all rationality.
With the death of Arafat, the Israelis and the Palestinians have a golden opportunity to throw out all the old baggage and at last get it right. There can be no question that Arafat was a stumbling block to the peace process but with good will on both sides this can be corrected.
Oslo must be revisited. It presents the best chnace for a realistic solution.
My great fear is that the death of Arafat will be used by both sides to drive the wedge further. The Palestinians will probably want Arafat buried on temple Mount while the Israelis will not allow this. In my view it costs them little to make this concession and would be a great step towards a successful resolution of problems.
