When the stormtroopers of the "Tanzim", under the direct command of Arafat, fired into Jerusalem neighborhoods, the State Department demanded that Arafat arrest those responsible. The US Administration 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, State Department demanded that Arafat arrest those responsible. The US Administration 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, the State Department demanded that Arafat arrest those responsible. The US Administration 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, loaded up with 80 tons of munitions, the State Department demanded that Arafat arrest those responsible. The Bush Administration demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad. The EU agreed that violent resistance against occupation is good. Colin Powell asked Arafat to arrest the terrorists.

When the Israeli Cabinet Minister Rehav’am Zeevi was assassinated by Palestinians transported and hidden and protected by the PLO, State Department demanded that Arafat arrest those responsible. The US demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad. The Village Voice 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 State Department demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad. The Washington Post agreed that violent resistance to occupation is good.

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

When the PLO started sending cattle cars to those camps, the Bush Administration demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad. American poets and authors agreed with Kofi Annan 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 Bush Administrtaion demanded that the PLO act against the terrorists. Arafat declared that violence is bad. Peter Jennings 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 Bush Administration 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 State Department 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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