Arafat’s Request to Visit U.S.
Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat’s record on terrorism is sufficient basis for barring his entry to the United States.
Arafat was denied a visa last November on the grounds that he was an accessory to terrorism. Specifically, former Secretary of State George Shultz found that Arafat “Knows of, condones and lends support to†acts of terrorism. Unequivocal evidence indicates that despite his 1988 Geneva pledge to renounce terrorism, Arafat continues to support acts of violence against Israeli civilians.
Throughout the year, Israeli authorities have apprehended Fatah terror cells responsible for Molotov cocktail attacks against Israeli civilians inside Israel. Many of the terrorists received training from Fatah operatives abroad.
Arafat and his closest aides have refused to condemn both the cross-border infiltration attempts by PLO constituent factions, and recent brutal terrorist acts committed by Palestinians inside Israel. Clearly directed against civilians, these activities have been condoned by Arafat under the guise of “armed struggleâ€--long used as a euphemism for terrorism.
Finally, the resolutions of the recent Fatah General Congress held in Tunis further underscore Arafat’s commitment to violence. The call for an escalation of armed struggle, the references to the “Zionist entity†and the use of slogans which question Israel’s right to live in security all demonstrate that Arafat refuses to disengage himself from the use of violence as a tool to achieve his diplomatic objectives.
It should be noted as well that denying Arafat a visa to address the United Nations is not a suppression of the PLO’s right to express its political views. The PLO maintains a mission at the United Nations and its spokesmen are free to espouse the PLO position.
A man still committed to a campaign of terror does not merit entrance to the United States. Moreover, the peace process will move forward only when the PLO is forced to truly change its ways. Barring Arafat at this critical time sends a much needed signal to the PLO that its violations of the Geneva pledges have not gone unnoticed.
JACK M. NEWMAN
President
Regional Board
Anti-Defamation League
Los Angeles
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
