November 12, 2003
NOT LAND, BUT RIGHTS AND A STATE:
Arafat: Israel has right to live in peace (AP, 11/12/03)
Arafat began his speech with a scathing attack on Israel. He harshly criticized Israel's targeted killings of Palestinian militant leaders, Jewish settlements and an Israeli security barrier being built in the West Bank."The goal of the Israeli government from behind this war [sic?] ... is not hidden from the world," Arafat said. "It is a dangerous goal of preventing our people from their land, their rights and an independent state."
He said the dozens of Palestinian attacks against Israeli civilians over the past three years were in response to Israeli military aggression against Palestinians.
Nonetheless, the Palestinian leader said the violence must end.
"Instead of total destruction of our people and land, the time has come between us and you Israelis, and listen to me Israelis, to get out of this cycle of destructive war," Arafat said.
Test him--declare Palestine a state with borders defined by the Wall. Posted by Orrin Judd at November 12, 2003 8:13 AM
And make him say it in Arabic on al-Jaazera.
I have a better idea.. let Israel do to them what they would do to Israel if the tables were turned. If actually made to choose between living in peace with Israelis or dying in war with them, they'll decide peace isn't so bad after all.. and if not, the world will be a better place without them.
Posted by: MarkD at November 12, 2003 7:03 PMAll;
There's that great, if probably apocryphal quote, where a Palestinian leader says "we'll fight you to the last Palestinian!" to an Isreali general. The general replies "we, too, are willing to fight to the last Palestinian".
Posted by: Annoying Old Guy at November 12, 2003 8:50 PM