Soccer Dad: Now they tell us

May 28, 2006

Now they tell us

Backspin links to an article in the L.A. Times explaining how Arafat operated

In life, Arafat was able, though barely, to keep a lid on Palestinian infighting. He played one powerful lieutenant against another, cracked down hard on unruly factions and bought fealty with large and largely untraceable sums of cash.

And it's not a new thing. Graham Usher, no Zionist stooge, reported back in 1997 Arafat Revives Tribal Power

"Since the PA was installed in 1994, Arafat has based his rule on two crucial constituencies. One was his Fatah movement, many of whose cadres were absorbed into the PA's burgeoning and often lawless security forces. But the other was Arafat's deliberate reempowerment of Palestine's traditional or tribal families, like the Abu Samhadanahs or, for that matter, the Al-Dhairs. In Rafah, the two constituencies have become one,
with tribal and political loyalties so interwoven as to be inseparable.

Unfortunately most reporters didn't pay much attention to Arafat's machinations and corruption, instead focusing on Israel's supposed missteps in the quest for peace. Even the most dovish Israeli government couldn't have made peace with the PA. I suppose it's better late than never.

I'd question this assertion of the L.A. Times report though

But Arafat's moderate-minded successor, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, has neither the inclination nor the dictatorial powers to intimidate security chiefs into unquestioning loyalty.

Last week's clashes showed that Fatah is willing to stand up for itself. Fatah has (I believe) ten times as many armed men as Hamas. Abbas may not be as flamboyant as Arafat, but I believe he's just about as Machiavellian.

Other items about Arafat in Soccer Dad.

UPDATE: Shlemazl makes a couple of reasonable comments below

Yes, but it's not the size that matters. It's commitment and disciplin. Fatah appears to have neither.

I agree to a point. However a significant advantage in materiel, I think, can overcome commitment and discipline. What made me think this was this item from last week

Hamas militias run for cover during a gunfight with Palestinian security forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas in the Sabra neighborhood, in Gaza City.

I think superior firepower does, indeed, matter.

He also notes

Abbas has been in power for quite some time now. What has he actually done?

On the other hand, he has survived as one of the top members of a terrorist organization for over 3 decades. Staying out of trouble will only take you so far in such a millieu. Another quality he undoubtedly has to possess is ruthlessness, his urbane appearance notwithstanding.

Remember that Mohammed Dahlan is on Abbas's side. Dahlan may be also possess a sophistication that impresses impressionable western reporters but he is as brutal as they come.
Why is Abbas making his move now? Probably because Hamas has overplayed its hand by openly supporting terror and has also been weakened by being denied some level of aid. Now's the time to strike when Hamas is on the defensive.

UPDATE II: Maybe than firepower gap isn't as great as I thought.

Technorati tags: Terrorism, PLO, Arafat.