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Arafat dead. No, really.

After following the press and jumping the gun in my blog entry, Arafat Reportedly Died (Again), I can now safely say that Arafat has indeed passed away. (Thanks to A Physicist's Perspective for the title)

Speculation continues over the cause of death as does the power struggle that began during Arafat's deterioration.

Israeli Justice Minister Tommy Lapid on Tuesday welcomed the death of veteran Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, telling military radio that it was "good that the world is rid of him". [ABC News]

Captain Ed remarks, "For all the crimes he committed and people he terrorized, the most ironic legacy Arafat left was the utter poverty and degradation he rained onto his own people -- while he and his wife lived it up on their money. And now the people of the West Bank will send him off with a hero's funeral, compounding the irony."

Powerline's Deacon asks, "Has there ever been a terrorist with more blood on his hands? If you exclude leaders of states (something Arafat never was), I can't think of any."

I don't rejoice in Arafat's death but rather find myself sobered that he has died after committing henious crimes in the public eye without repentance. Jesus said, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36) Arafat's life was brief, even insignificant, compared to the eternity that he has entered.

Update:

My pastor likes to remind us that every death preaches a sermon to the living -- particularly, that our death is imminent, so now is the time to (if we haven't done so) repent and put our trust in Christ alone for our salvation, and (if we have done so) serve God. - A Physicist's Perspective

So if we rejoice, we must rejoice in God's justice. But rejoice also in God's grace which has been extended to those who are His. It is through His grace that Christ fulfilled His need for justice on our behalf. - Challies

Posted by tim at November 11, 2004 12:58 AM

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