By Andrew L. Jaffee

The AP is at it again regarding the ongoing Palestinian civil war, trying to paint a happy face on the internecine conflict by eulogizing Yasser Arafat, who in truth was the man most responsible for his people’s misery. The civil war is largely between the terrorist group Hamas and Arafat’s Fatah, a group the AP considers a “moderate” (terrorist) organization. Just a few days ago, the AP was implying that these Palestinian factions were playing nice with each other. Palestinian “President” Mahmoud Abbas, the inheritor of Yasser Arafat’s “legacy,” today raised the stakes in the conflict, declaring Hamas’ gunmen in the Gaza Strip as “illegal.” Seeing their dear Palestinian society unravel further into pure chaos, it seems the Associated Press is now grasping at straws, pinning for the good old days of Arafat:

Myriad — and overlapping — forces were formed more than a decade ago by the late Yasser Arafat to help ensure law and order in the Palestinian areas, but after years of corruption and fighting with Israel, the forces have become largely ineffective, fueling widespread lawlessness in Gaza. When Hamas formed its new unit after defeating Fatah, it said the move was needed to impose order.

“[T]o help ensure law and order in the Palestinian areas?” Arafat did nothing of the sort, nor did he give a damn about “law and order.” OK, the AP mentions corruption… vaguely, but does not provide the “context,” to use that over-used politically-correct phrase. Of course, don’t forget to blame “fighting with Israel.”

Arafat always remained consistent. He chose the path of violence from day one. Remember Black September, the “second Intifada,” or the Oslo Accords? He stole foreign aid meant to help his own people build a viable economy. Arafat remained steady in his funding of terrorism. He was the greatest terrorist of them all, who tried to smuggle a boatload of plastic explosives into Palestine and opposed democratic reforms which would’ve loosened his grip on power. Arafat ruled by decree and ordered summary executions of his own people. Arafat’s own al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade keeps killing innocent Israeli civilians with firebombs packed with nuts, bolts, nails, and screws. He spoke of peace in English, while in Arabic he and his cronies advocated Israel’s destruction.[1]

Has the AP chosen sides in this civil war? Does it even know what it is trying to say? Editing the history of Yasser Arafat will certainly not help. Dear AP: Let us give credit where credit is due — and try to concentrate on the truth.

[1] Benjamin Netanyahu, “A Durable Peace: Israel and Its Place Among the Nations,” Warner Books, Inc., New York, N.Y., 2000.

---

---

Related: Palestinians, Political Correctness, Media/Blogsphere, Terrorist Groups

---