Below is an op-ed by Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, published on February 3, 2002, at the The New York Times.

This is a significant event on two counts: first, because it is the first op-ed published by President Arafat in the American press since the start of this Intifada over 16 months ago, despite the fact that Netanyahu, Barak, and Sharon have all been published several times during that same period; and second because it comes at a time when Ariel Sharon is doing the impossible to equate Arafat with Bin Laden. Needless to say, an op-ed by Arafat appearing in the New York Times does not bode well for Sharon's frantic efforts.

Wherever our personal politics in this matter lie, it is absolutely critical that all supporters of Palestinian rights mobilize in a show of support for the points that will be expressed in President Arafat's piece (see summary below).

Let's show the New York Times how many Americans are out there who support a just peace based on equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis.

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SUMMARY OF PRESIDENT ARAFAT'S OP-ED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES.

In the op-ed piece, President Arafat:

* Condemns terrorism:  "I condemn terrorism. I condemn the killing of 
innocent civilians, whether they be Israeli, American or Palestinian, 
whether they be killed by Palestinian extremists, Israeli settlers, or 
by the Israeli government."

* Reiterates condemnation of attacks against Israeli civilians and 
indicates that he is determined to put an end to attacks against Israeli 
civilians.

* Sets out his vision for peace:

- Independent and viable Palestinian state on the 1967 borders;
- Security for Israeli and Palestinian peoples;
- Just solution for Palestinian refugees;
- The right of return but indicates that the implementation of the 
  right will take into account Israel’s demographic concerns;
- Warm peace with close economic and social cooperation; and
- Jerusalem as one open city that is the capital of two states, Israel 
  and Palestine;

* Stresses that, "Peace is not a signed agreement between individuals - 
  it is reconciliation between peoples."

* Stresses that when Israel sees the Palestinians as equals, peace will 
  be attainable;

* Stresses the need to end the occupation; and

* Stresses that Palestinians are prepared to negotiate.


POSSIBLE CRITICISMS AND POSSIBLE RESPONSES

1. CRITICISM:

President Arafat claims to condemn terrorism and to put an end to it, so why 
isn’t he doing more?

RESPONSE:

President Arafat is exerting a “100% effort” (as required by the Mitchell Report) 
to combat terrorism.  He has:

- Called for a cease-fire on December 16, 2001;
- Outlawed paramilitary organizations;
- Closed offices of Hamas and Jihad; and
- Ended financial transfers to Hamas and Jihad;
- Arrested 260 individuals suspected of violating the cease-fire, 
  including those listed by Israel and the US.

The PA only controls 17.2% of the West Bank (divided into 13 separate 
areas).

Israel has set up obstacles to President Arafat’s efforts:

- Closed Palestinian towns and villages making it impossible for PA security 
  forces to move from one Area A to the next;
- Bombed every police station in the West Bank;
- Bombed Palestinian towns and destroyed Palestinian infrastructure such as 
  the airport in Gaza and radio services in the West Bank;
- Assassinated 83 political activists and killed over 1000 Palestinians;
- Reoccupied Areas A (and continues to do so);
- Not prosecuted any settlers for attacking Palestinians (there have 
  been 54 attacks against Palestinians since the December cease-fire) or 
  IDF soldiers who have killed and injured Palestinians;

- Expanded settlements and build new settlements;
- Demolished homes, including 60 homes in Rafah; and
- Not approved the implementation of the Mitchell Report in its 
  entirety.

2. CRITICISM:

What about the Karine-A ship?

RESPONSE:

President Arafat has:

- Formed an investigation committee to determine whether the shipment 
  was headed to the PA, and has asked the US, the EU, Russia and Israel to 
  participate in the investigation.  All have refused to co-operate;
- Ordered the arrest of 3 PA officials suspected of being involved in 
  the shipment: Brigadier-General Fuad Shubaki; Adel Mughrabi and Fathi 
  Razem;
- Ordered the arrest of 2 members of the Palestinian naval force; and
- Fired Fuad Shubaki and Fathi Razem from their PA positions.

  Israel and the US have refused to present any evidence to the PA that:

- The shipment was headed to the PA; and
- President Arafat was involved.


3. CRITICISM:

Isn’t Arafat trying to destroy Israel through the right of return?

RESPONSE:

While the piece emphasizes that there is a right of return (as guaranteed under 
international law), President Arafat states that the implementation of the 
right of return will take into account Israel’s demographic concerns; and

The interests of both Israel and Palestinians can be reconciled through 
empowering refugees by providing them with choices: resettlement, 
moving to the Palestinian state, moving to third countries and return to Israel.  
The implementation of each of these choices will take into account each 
country’s demographic concerns.


4. CRITICISM:

Arafat has to compromise and the Camp David offer was a compromise.

RESPONSE:

A 78-22 division of historic Palestine is a more than adequate 
compromise.  

For more information, see the PLO’s Frequently Asked Questions on Camp 
David at http://www.nad-plo.org/eye/news38.html


5. CRITICISM:

This is what Arafat says to Americans, but what is he saying to his own 
people?

RESPONSE:

The piece is available to the Palestinian and Israeli press, who will 
undoubtedly translate the piece and republish it in parts or in its 
entirety.

The only official version is the English version because the piece was 
drafted for the NY Times.  There are no official translations into 
other languages due to the growing tendency to focus on perceived differences 
in translations.

The statements contained in the piece reflect past statements by President Arafat.

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