A legacy in limbo

The cause of Palestine and the fate of Yasser Arafat — now lying between life and death — have been so closely intertwined that it is difficult to imagine what the future will hold in his absence. Arafat symbolised Palestine. His forlorn siege of the last few years seem to poignantly express the besieging of an entire people. One hopes that his passing away will not symbolise the passing of the cause itself. But the close identification of the cause and the man had distinct disadvantages. Like many leaders, Arafat was suspicious of any challengers within. He did not encourage open discussion and dissent. When the Palestinians appeared on the verge of acquiring a grassroots leadership in the intifada, he did everything to undermine the effort. The Israelis obliged him by taking into custody leaders who might have had the potential of turning into a second rung of moderate leadership. He was unable to transform the Palestinian Authority into an internally credible institution. The Palestinians are thus left today with a real succession crisis.

It is difficult to predict what this crisis will bring. It could create an internecine succession battle that strengthens the hand of groups like Hamas. Or, more optimistically, this phase of contention might generate an autonomous politics within Palestine that is not overshadowed by as mercurial a figure as Arafat. But Israeli actions have placed West Bank and Gaza so much under siege that it is too presumptuous to hope for the emergence of an autonomous political space inside the Occupied Territories.

How will Palestinians come to terms with the Arafat’s legacy? They will not doubt his ardour for their cause or its justice. But many will wonder whether Arafat considerably overreached his powers. The deck was stacked against the Palestinians. The Israelis had overwhelming force on their side. The Americans were always partisan. And Palestine’s Arab friends were more interested in using Palestine as pawns, rather than concerned about the plight of the Palestinians. Under such circumstances was Arafat right to reject the deal Barak offered? Did Arafat leave the Palestinians an achievable cause or an impossible dream? Much will depend on how Palestinians answer this question.