Abstract
Yesterday's election of a Palestinian Authority president to replace Yasser Arafat opens an important opportunity for a negotiated settlement of the Palestinian problem. But this opportunity could easily be squandered if Israel continues to insist that it will resume negotiations only when the Palestinian Authority succeeds in stopping "terrorism" against Israel, and if the international community fails to assist the Palestinians to rebuild their society. In the short term, Mahmoud Abbas (or any other Palestinian leader) will be operating under more difficult circumstances than his predecessor did. He is not as charismatic nor as symbolic as Arafat, and inherits a Palestinian Authority and society which have been disintegrated in the wake of the intifada (uprising) since late 2000.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 1pp |
| No. | January 10, 2005 |
| Specialist publication | Sydney Morning Herald |
| Publication status | Published - 2005 |