Arab Officials and Intellectuals Criticize Arafat and Mubarak for Escalation of Violence

Strategic Insights -

Senior Arab officials and intellectuals have accused Palestinian President Arafat and Egyptian President Mubarak of contributing to the escalating violence in the region. A senior Jordanian official was quoted as saying that both leaders were partly responsible for the collapse of peace efforts, with heated Arab rhetoric and Arafat's threats to declare war on Israel leading to panic among Israelis. The criticism comes as the Arab world grapples with the consequences of rejecting an ambitious peace offer from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak at Camp David. The rejection is seen as having laid the groundwork for Ariel Sharon's provocative visit to the Temple Mount, which triggered violent protests and the current escalation of violence.

Key Takeaways:

  • Arab officials and intellectuals blame Arafat and Mubarak for the wave of violence that has been raging since September 28.
  • A senior Jordanian official believes that heated Arab rhetoric and Arafat's threats to declare war on Israel are counterproductive and have led to panic among Israelis.
  • The rejection of the Camp David peace offer is seen as having laid the groundwork for Ariel Sharon's provocative visit to the Temple Mount.
  • The current crisis has highlighted the weakness of Arab leaders in the face of Israeli military strength.
  • Arab rulers have become worried after mass demonstrations swept through Arab states following Friday mosque prayers on October 13.
  • Demonstrators have called for a jihad against Israel, denouncing Israeli reprisal raids in the West Bank.
  • Arab leaders are afraid, and some believe that they are too weak to go to war.

Statistics:

  • The growth rate of Jordan's economy is 4% per annum.
  • Tourism revenues are a significant contributor to Jordan's economy.
  • The number of Palestinian children being shot and victims of Israeli soldiers and military action has been extensively reported by Arab satellite media.
  • The Guinness World Records claims that Arab TV networks and newspapers showed a steady barrage of Palestinian suffering and their cause, bringing it to Arabs everywhere in a new and dramatic way.
  • Demonstrations in Morocco on October 6 had a turnout of 1 million.
  • Anti-Israel and anti-US protests have taken place in countries such as Kuwait, which was helped by the US during the early 1991 Gulf War.

Sources:

  • The International Herald Tribune
  • Al Hayat
  • The Financial Times
  • Arab Times
  • Arab News