Yasir Arafat was both the symbol of the Palestinians’ hope for a viable, independent state and the prime obstacle to its realization. His death early Thursday morning presents an enormous set of challenges to his own people, to the Israelis, to a re-elected American president and to the world at large. It is a test, first of all, for the Palestinians themselves, to move from a revolutionary ethos of victimhood and military confrontation with Israel to a more responsible and legitimate government, able to care for its people and to negotiate for them.Full Story