If Arafat Could Be Like King Hussein

North Miami Beach, FL August 8, 2001 Aaron H.
Schectman

THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on issues, ideas and reflections on the times. Published now and
then, Opinions pro or con are welcome.

IF ARAFAT COULD BE LIKE KING HUSSEIN

If Arafat could be like King Hussein is just plain wishful thinking and is
really impossible to imagine. However, let us try. Some background first.

For instance - just think of the days after Israel was declared an
independent nation. All the surrounding Arab countries told the Palestinian
Arabs who had the opportunity to declare the portion allotted to them by the
United Nations a free and independent country to get out of the way. This
was because the neighbors of the new Jewish State invaded and their purpose
was to push the Jews into the sea.

Some of the Palestinians traveled west, south and north. Quite a few went
to the east that happened to be where a poorly endowed but defined country,
Jordan, existed as a constitutional (I think) monarchy. Its head was King
Hussein who was generally approved by his people as their leader. What
happened was this. So many Palestinians moved over the Jordan into Jordan
that soon they practically outnumbered the Jordanians.

Now Jordan is not a wealthy country and there was not room for them all.
However, in the interests of Pan Arabic unity (blood is thicker than water)
a home was made for them. Soon it became apparent that the Palestinian
presence was not a healthy one for Jordanians. The Palestinians used Jordan
as a base for training militants and as a springboard for attacks on Israel.
This provoked response and retaliation from Israel.

King Hussein had been educated in the west and wanted peace with a neighbor
with whom he could trade. The Palestinians were, in effect, a nation within
his nation. As they tried to take over Jordan he responded and drove them
out. After bloody fighting Jordan drove out the Palestinians.

The moral here is that if Arafat could be more like King Hussein he could
drive out the militants and terrorists among the Palestinians. He then
could create a country and deal as an honest broker with the Israelis. Not
all Palestinians are militants and terrorists. Some would welcome peace.
What do you think? Carol's Evaluation: 9 out of 10.