NPR's Linda Gradstein reports on dwindling support for Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. For nearly thirty years, Arafat was the undisputed leader of the Palestinian people, and when he signed the peace deal with Israel that gave Palestinians control over parts of the West Bank and Gaza, many thought their lives would improve. They're still waiting. A four-month-old Israeli closure of the West Bank and Gaza has severely curtailed economic activity there. Arafat's security forces have cracked down hard on opposition groups and have limited freedom of expression. And the new Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu (n'tahn-YAH-hoo) will soon take office, a man whom many Palestinians fear will stop the peace process cold. These events have left many wondering if Arafat is still the man to lead them, or if his day may have come and gone.
Copyright 1996 NPR