JDAM ARAFAT TO HELL

As the elderly terrorist's handpicked prime minister took the oath of office, a homicide bomber blew himself up in a Tel Aviv bar, killing three Israeli citizens. A group linked to that new PM, whose name is Mahmoud Abbas, claimed guilt, stating that their killing was intended as a message--to Abbas. The message--to Abbas but written in Jewish blood--was that the terror groups won't disarm without a "political settlement." Here's a thought--if you want to send a message, try sending him a memo. To twist a phrase, murdering innocent civilians is not the answer.

Meanwhile, not too far away similar violence is starting to crop up in Iraq. Armed men, presumably but not necessarily non-Iraqi, have on successive days goaded US troops into firing on disarmed Iraqi citizens. They have done this by hiding among the crowds and opening fire, drawing a lethal response from our soldiers. It's action that has a clear and obvious aim--get some Iraqis killed by Americans, to turn the liberation into a bloodbath, and the liberators into oppressors. It's bringing life on the Gaza strip to the streets of Iraq, and it must be stopped.

Had Arafat never been allowed to return to Israel, the present situation would likely be very different. It's easier to marginalize someone who is trying to command from a distance--setting Arafat up in Gaza, and legitimizing him with handshake ceremonies on the White House lawn, has clearly done nothing to curb Palestinian terrorism. On the contrary, the violence has only escalated since Arafat's return. Bringing back from exile has clearly backfired, turning the so-called "peace process" into a bloody farce.

It's time we sent our own message to Mr. Arafat, and to his immitators and collaborators in Iraq. Not a memo--communiques obviously haven't gotten the job done. It's time to put Yasser Arafat out of the killing business for good.