To understand the dynamics of the situation in Gaza and the West Bank one only needed to have watched the arrival by helicopter of Yasser Arafat?s body. Arafat loved to be the center of attention and to manipulate the media, and even in death he was able to do both. The Palestine National Authority wanted to set the stage by showing the world how beloved their leader was by the people so they allowed Palestinians to climb over the walls around Arafat?s compound in Ramallah. Preventive security forces helped people climb over the walls, and no attempt was made to turn people away at the gates. Once the masses filled the compound armed fighters from al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (Group Profile) and Hamas (Group Profile) entered the compound, one could see Palestinians moving out of the way to make room for these armed individuals. While Arafat in life did not have total control over these terrorist groups, he did have their respect–something that none of the potential leaders can project. The Palestinian people respect one thing–those with guns who are willing to use them.

Once the helicopters, carrying Arafat?s body and the potential heirs to power, touched down masses of people swarmed to surround the helicopters. The heirs apparent waited timidly inside the Egyptian helicopter waiting for the security forces and police to clear a space to lower the helicopter door. A vehicle drove recklessly, attempting to clear a path so that Arafat?s body could be moved from the helicopter. The Palestinian Preventive Security forces and the Civil Police both obviously lacked control over the crowd. This is the problem for the caretaker government: with elections set for January 9, 2005, the government is not able to guarantee any type of security. Thus, there could be bloodshed as terrorist groups attempt to fill the void left by Arafat.

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