ARAFAT SAYS HE ACCEPTS ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO JEWISH IDENTITY
18 June 2004

For the first time, Yasser Arafat has acknowledged the Jewish identity of the state of Israel. In an interview with the newspaper Haaretz, Arafat reportedly stated that he understands Israel's need to preserve its Jewish identity, and that the PA has "adopted the Arab Summit resolution of April 2002", which called for a solution to the Palestinian refugee problem. He went on to outline terms he would accept, even ceding parts of the West Bank to Israel, and lowering the number of refugees eligible for right of return.

Arafat's suggested terms include the permanent control of the Western wall and of Jewish Jerusalem by Israel, with East Jerusalem under Palestinian control, and an exchange of 3% of the West Bank for an equal amount of land for Palestinians. It is not clear whether these terms are being actively considered by the Israeli government, which has been occupied with the difficult work of securing Gaza in advance of its complete withdrawal from the densely populated territory.

Arafat lamented that the Israeli government officially views him as an enemy to peace, noting that the Prime Minister has consulted with him on the formulation of various initiatives, including the so-called "Roadmap for Peace". He also pledged that the PA would take control of security in Gaza, once the IDF pulls out, and that his security forces would combat Hamas and even members of Fatah factions who violate the law.

According to Haaretz, British intelligence has assessed an improvement in the activities of the PA to prevent and combat terrorism in the Occupied Territories. One case was also cited where Palestinian security forces detained a 17-year-old would-be suicide bomber, preventing the attack, and doing so in an area under Israeli control.

The ability of the PA to contain and to prevent terrorist acts, and the willpower to arrest and imprison popular but violent leaders, has been a major point of contention for Israeli conservatives. The first official Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority was unable to function and left office, as a result of the conflict over how security would be enforced by the PA. Arafat had long maintained that security had to be under his control, to ensure the integrity of his movement and the character of a future Palestinian state, with many suspecting he sought to prevent a crackdown on militants. So any advance, as observed by the British, in securing the territories may be a sign of forward progress. [For more: Haaretz]