When "policemen" from the Palestinian Authority tortured, mutilated, and murdered two Israeli reservists in a PA police station, Israel demanded that Arafat arrest those responsible. The US demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad.

When the stormtroopers of the "Tanzim", under the direct command of Arafat, fired into Jerusalem neighborhoods, Israel demanded that Arafat arrest those responsible. The US demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad.

When Arafat’s Fat’h people planted a car bomb in Netanya, Israel demanded that Arafat arrest those responsible. The US demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad.

When Arafat’s "police" fired mortar shells into Jewish civilian areas on both sides of the Green Line, Israel demanded that Arafat arrest those responsible. The US demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad but resistance against occupation is good.

When the PLO commissioned the Karin A Ship of Death, Israel demanded that Arafat arrest those responsible. The US demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad. The EU agreed that violent resistance against occupation is good. Ariel Sharon asked Arafat to arrest those responsible.

When the Minister Rehav’am Zeevi was assassinated by Palestinians transported and hidden and protected by the PLO, Israel demanded that Arafat arrest those responsible. The US demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad. The BBC agreed that violent resistance to occupation is good.

When the PLO hijacked EL Al jets and crashed them into the Azrieli Towers in Tel Aviv, The US demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad. Shimon Peres agreed that violent resistance to occupation is good.

When the PLO set off a canister of sarin gas in the Carmelit subway, The US demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad. The CNN agreed that violent resistance to occupation is good.

When the PLO started building concentration camps for Jews, The US demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad. Meretz agreed that violent resistance to occupation is good.

When the PLO started sending cattle cars to those camps, The US demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad. Israeli poets and authors agreed that violent resistance to occupation is good.

When the PLO set off a primitive nuclear device in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv at rush hour, The US demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad. The Israeli Labor Party agreed that violent resistance to occupation is good.

When the PLO constructed a sign before its Camp for Peace to which Jews were deported that read "Working will make you Free and Peaceful," The US demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad. Ariel Sharon demanded that Arafat bring the camp directors and staff to justice. The Likud agreed that violent resistance to occupation is good. President Bush demanded that Arafat get to the bottom of things and root out the evildoers.

Steven Plaut

You can e-mail your comments to Steven at splaut@econ.haifa.ac.il

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Copyright © 2002 by Steven Plaut.
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