Violence in the Middle East has claimed many political careers, but throughout the long struggle that pitted Arab and Palestinian against Israeli, Mr. Yasser Arafat has been a survivor. He overcame internal factional struggles and Israeli assassination attempts to lead the Palestinian people within reach of their dream of a homeland. Now, as his people find themselves tantalizingly close to statehood, Mr. Arafat seems to have lost his grip. Violence now undermines his authority. Mr. Arafat is no longer a credible partner in peace. He is not a threat; more damning, the Israelis consider him "no longer relevant."
Mr. Arafat is another victim of the attacks mounted in recent weeks by militants opposed to any peace with Israel. Two weeks ago, suicide bombings against Israeli civilians claimed 29 victims. Harsh international condemnation failed to spur the Palestinian leader to take real action against the groups, primarily Islamic militants, alleged to be behind the attacks. The Palestinian Authority talked tough: Some individuals were arrested and security forces declared that only they could use force in Palestinian territory, but the gestures seemed more show than substance. Then, earlier this week, a double attack by guerrillas killed 10 Israelis and wounded dozens more. This time, however, the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, an armed organization linked to Mr. Arafat's own Fatah group, claimed responsibility for the attack on a bus.
Once again, reaction has been severe -- and focused. The United States, a longtime ally of the government of Israel, condemned the attacks. More importantly, it has abandoned the evenhanded position it had staked out in which which it balanced criticism of Mr. Arafat with calls for restraint on the part of Tel Aviv. Instead, Washington blamed Mr. Arafat's inaction and said only "immediate, serious and sustained" action against militants could end the Palestinians' suffering.