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To describe as “simplistic” the belief that Arafat turned on the violence after Camp David turns a blind eye to the facts themselves, irrespective of how “simplistic” they may seem to be to Rowley. According to all official American accounts, Arafat walked away from the negotiating table after being offered virtually the entire West Bank and Gaza, as well as East Jerusalem. Cornered by then-prime minister Ehud Barak to put his cards on the table and settle the dispute, Arafat rejected the offer, made no counterproposal, and left. In short order bombs were going off inside Israel and civilians were being shot dead on the roads. Hamas and Islamic Jihad were given the green light to wage a terror war against Israel unhampered by Arafat’s dozen or so security forces. Militia groups associated with Arafat and the PLO also began killing Israeli civilians and soldiers and continue to do so even now. If this is not proof enough, the Palestinian minister of communications admitted in a widely publicized speech that the violence was planned by Arafat even before Camp David. So much for good faith negotiations, and for denials of responsibility for initiating the violence.
While Arafat may not order each bombing and shooting, he is, at the very least, responsible for them. He let the dogs loose and has done nothing to rein them in, this despite repeated urgings by the U.S. and the European Union. It is undeniable that Arafat is again using terrorist violence to continue his war against Israel. If Camp David demonstrated anything, it is that Arafat has no intention of ending the conflict, at least with Israel still in existence. Yet Rowley, like members of the now-discredited Israel far left, still clings to the fantasy that Arafat may one day get in touch with his inner statesman. One can only wonder how long it will take before Rowley finally gives up on Arafat. Apparently over 30 years of terror has not been enough.
