Story: Who Will Replace Yasser Arafat?, 11/08/04
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec04/arafat_11-08.html

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. How do Arabs and Israelis view Yasser Arafat?

2. Why are so many people worried about what will happen if Arafat dies?

3. Could there be a positive outcome to Arafat's passing?

4. Why has Arafat often been criticized for his leadership?

5. Which two men are in line to succeed Arafat?

6. What, according to some experts, has to happen in order for the Palestinian people to accept a new leader?

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. Describe what could happen in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict if a new, more moderate, leader were to succeed Yasser Arafat. What challenges would such a leader face from the Israelis and from his own people?

2. Given what you've read about Yasser Arafat in the above story and after reading Arafat's bio at http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/conflict/keyplayers_4.html what do you think Arafat's strengths and weaknesses are? Is he an effective leader or is he a terrorist?

Write a 300-500 word essay on either of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra (extra@newshour.org). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.