Palestinian Politics After Arafat

Panelists at this event hosted by the Brookings Institution discussed the impact of the death of Yasser Arafat on U.S. policy, the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, and the prospects for democracy in the Middle East. They discussed Arafat’s legacy. They noted that while Arafat succeeded in crafting a coherent Palestinian political entity, he failed to create a Palestinian state. The panelists spoke about potential successors to Mr. Arafat, the chances for a peaceful transition to new leadership, and the policies favored by a number of prominent Palestinian leaders. They spoke about U.S. policy in the region in the aftermath of Mr. Arafat’s death, as well as the impact of these changes on Israeli policy. Following their remarks, the panelists responded to questions from members of the audience. close