In a patently wrong move, Israel has proclaimed a governmental decision to “remove” President Yasser Arafat. The language leaves open the possibility of assassinating Arafat. In a rapidly deteriorating situation in the area, this could well mean the end of any hope for a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is possible that the Israeli cabinet has now assumed the mantle to champion the US doctrine of regime change as a solution to political problems of dealing with even legitimate regimes. After all President Arafat is an elected representative of the Palestinian people. And it is not so long ago that the Israeli government — no doubt that of another party — had invited him to head the newly-formed Palestine Authority in the occupied territories. It is not surprising, therefore, that the world — including the US — has reacted in such strong terms ranging from unhappiness to direct denouncement. The most poignant criticism of the Israeli decision comes from the soft-spoken moderate architect of Indo-Israeli understanding, the former foreign minister of Israel, Shimon Peres. Russia and the UK have slammed the decision as one which would destroy the prospects of peace in the region while possibly leading to an uncontrolled chain of events. The French president has termed the decision a “serious mistake” while even governments normally friendly to Israel have expressed deep concern at the turn of events now triggered by the Israeli decision. Arab and Muslim opinion across the world, incensed by US war against Iraq, is infuriated. The decision has almost immediately resulted in a predictable response from the Palestinians. Thousands have vowed to defend Arafat with their lives. Such a response and its implication must surely have been obvious to the Israeli cabinet even before it embarked on its extremist approach. Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas had stepped down in sheer frustration at the continuing violence from both sides only recently. The events related to his exit had demonstrated Arafat’s profile as the unquestioned leader of the Palestinians. It is not surprising therefore that Ahmed Korie, the nominated prime minister, has suspended efforts to form a government signalling total support for the man Israel seeks to remove. Israel would, therefore, be well-advised to listen to world opinion and exercise restraint.
