U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler Calls on the New Palestinian
Leadership To, Once and For All, Renounce Terror and Seek Peace

Statement on the Death of Yasser Arafat

“Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat died today. 

“Arafat will go down in history with the great villains of the 20^th Century.  He pioneered in the use of large-scale terror as a weapon of statecraft.  He led where Osama bin Laden followed. 

“Yasser Arafat lived a life of terror, murdering civilians, including American diplomats, and women and children worldwide.  He actively sabotaged every opportunity for a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Arab conflict.

“The new Palestinian leadership must make a clean break with Arafat's legacy of terrorism and obstructionism.  His successors must put an end to the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians, stop the terror and the teaching of hatred to children, recognize the existence of the state of Israel and get back to the negotiating table. 

“The United States can play a positive role for peace and stability in the Middle East when, and if, a Palestinian peace partner emerges.

“I take this opportunity to echo the words of the late-Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, and I quote: 'We should not let the land flowing with milk and honey become a land flowing with blood and tears.’  Now that Arafat is no longer with us, we may get the opportunity to realize Yitzhak Rabin’s vision.”

###