Arafat Dead

CNN:

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who passionately sought a homeland for his people but was seen by Israelis as a ruthless terrorist and roadblock to peace, died early Thursday at a Paris military hospital. He was 75. "The last two days were very painful, very difficult days," said Saeb Erakat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, who confirmed Arafat's death Thursday morning. "And now, after these painful days of President Arafat, he is dead." Arafat died at 3:30 a.m. (0230 GMT), a hospital spokesman said.

Perhaps his death will allow the Palestinians to begin to abandon some of their hatred and move toward a peaceful resolution with Israel. I expect thought that Arafat's absence will lead to violence to fill the power gap though, at least in the short term.