Well… actually, one doctor announced he was brain dead, and 15 minutes ago, Arafat’s personnal doctor stated that actually he wasn’t.
Wow. End of an era, no matter what you think of him. I’m sure someone will regard his loss, so close to the American election, as some sort of sign.
Let’s hope it’s a peacful sign.
It took them 50 years to figure that out? Damn French socialized health care. 
What’s this? He isn’t quite dead, isn’t quite alive? :eek:
Time to start searching for all those ‘What to do when zombies attack’ threads!
[Insert obligatory Holy Grail and/or Princess Bride references here]
This will probably mean civil war among the Palestinians. Probably means more attacks on Israelis in the short term, and eventually some warlord will seize power. Whether that warlord can be negotiated with is an open question. Arafat proved that he couldn’t/wouldn’t deliver a peace deal, so his death at least allows another spin of the roulette wheel. Spin it enough times and eventually you’ll land on 00.
Apparently he is only mostly dead. When he is all dead, then we can go through his clothes and look for loose change… 
Well, now we know the cause of death; irony poisoning.
LLLLLLAAAAAAANNNNNNNDDDDD!!!
LOL! 
Was there a cat involved, at all?
Anyone have any idea of a credible or probable successor?
I here talk that Marwan Barghouti is favoured, but is kinda, at present, stuck in jail in Israel. I doubt they are going to let him out to take over the reins, so to speak.
Earlier on the radio they said several of his important internal organs had stopped working, but he wasn’t quite dead. They didn’t specify which organs, I recon the brain is pretty important.
How about Abu Madsen the man who walked in protest, he seemed like a sensible man.
SentientMeat, I really do think you’re right. I wish there were a way around it, but the only people that can make Hamas stick to a cease-fire are the members of Hamas. And anyone that they trust enough to say, “Yeah, we’ll stop bombing and let you negotiate with the Israelis,” is going to be seen as a terrorist. This is in addition to the fact that anyone that Hamas would trust this much is pretty likely to be a Hamas member.
Moderator’s Note: Since the news reports still haven’t settled down as to whether or not Arafat is really dead, in a coma, or “resting”, I’ve edited the thread title so as not to get anyone excessively worked up .
'e’s probably pining for the Fijords…
This can be turned into a positive. Example: Israel and the U.S. have been adamant about a change in the Palestinian leadership in order to keep the “peace process” on track. Well, it don’t get much more changed than this!! Are there any opportunistic moderates in either the U.S. or Israel that could now drive a peace agenda forward?
Note: In the initial power struggle there will be an increase in extremist action. Although it is probably a moot point, now would be a good time to commit to some restraint on the Israeli side while trying to engage a new Palestinian leadership. Any heavy-handed Israeli (US approved) action or response will alienate any moderate leadership that attempts to wrestle control from the extreme elements in the new Palestinian leadership.
I’ve got an idea for a successor, a celebrity even.
He’s rested, he’s ready…
He’s YUSEF ISLAM!
Out on the edge of darkness there rides a Peace Train. 
Anyone who inherits the guns that they do have. When the PA really wanted to, they could keep things (at least relatively) quiet for weeks at a stretch.
As to what you probably mean by the question - someone who can realistically get the extremists to cease fire without literally twisting their arms - even Arafat was not able to accomplish that when he did want it.
There are plenty of Palestinian figures who have not been “taken out” by Israel - Dahlan, Def, Rajub and Barghouti (as well as the established figures of Abu-Ala [Qurie] and Abu-Mazen) come to mind, even if some of there are in Israeli prison. Unlike assassination, incarceration is reversible (if it is deemed advantageous to do so).
Agreed; however there would have to be some politicking and brokering behind smoke and mirrors to ensure that when this does happen, said terrorists will shortly thereafter “coincidentally” come up with the idea that maybe a temporary cease-fire is a Good Idea just now…
Going back to 1977, this is how Sadat’s visit to Jerusalem was brought about: He made a great concession in return for guaranteed concessions from Israel in return.
My thoughts on the matter: Until now, all progress was effectively stalled because Arafat has not really been in any shape to do anything for some time now, yet nobody else was willing to take the initiative while he lived.
This resulted in Israel coming up with the Unilateral Withdrawal from Gaza initiative - which is, IMO, still a good idea. However, with Arafat no longer relevant in any case, there will be pressure from all sides (US, Europe and Israeli hard-line right wingers) to stop and regroup. Which is a shame, I think, since the withdrawal and dismantling of settlements, even if unilateral, could have been an important first step. Even when stepping off the political stage (whether completely dead or not), Arafat seems to be doing his best to stall any chance for peace… 
To MEBuckner: Thanks for the title change - although I suspect it is only a question of time, and not of essence, I agree that I (as well as several others in the world…) did jump the gun a wee bit.
Dani
Of course, that’s true of us all, not just Yasir Arafat.
I saw this somewhere on the 'net this morning:
“If there’s any justice in this world, when Arafat dies he’ll get 72 virgins who look just like him.”
It sure is true that if you want to find hate speech the 'net is your friend. But why limit yourself to elderly Palestinians. Enjoy life’s infinite variety.