Arafat’s Spouse to Decide Arafat’s Life

International news agencies that report Arafat is brain dead are relying on hospital sources, accounts of which the French media has cultivated despite contradictory reports from the Palestinian Representative in France, Leyla Sahin. Sahin contends that Arafat is not brain dead but is "in between life and dead." She spoke ominously however, of Arafat’s condition, "Arafat could come out of the coma, but he may not be as well."

Israeli state television accepts accounts from the French media and is also reporting that Arafat is brain dead. An "official" hospital report said that Arafat’s condition has not changed since yesterday. Israel is closely following the Palestinian leader’s developments. Israeli Justice Minister Joseph Lapid confirmed Israeli media accounts of Arafat’s condition and added that Arafat was hooked to life support.

Palestinian sources said that Suha, Arafat’s wife, has authority over Arafat’s medical treatment and would decide whether to remove him from life support after the conclusion of negotiations concerning his burial. According to Islamic tradition, "the body [of the dead] should be buried within 24 hours after death." Burial-negotiations are expected to end in a few days.

Many people fear a rise in tension in the region after Arafat’s death. Palestinian authorities demand that Arafat be buried in Jerusalem. The Israeli government ardently rejects Palestinian wishes. "Arafat could be buried in Gaza," said Lapid. The Israeli media claims that such a burial is likely.

French President Jacques Chirac declined to comment on Arafat’s health after visiting him on November 4th and said that regardless of Arafat’s fate, he hopes that peace talks will continue.

Doctors have not diagnosed the cause of Arafat’s "blood irregularities." His blood sample has reportedly been sent to another country.

Palestinians gathered around the Percy military hospital near the French capital Paris are waiting hopelessly for good news. Arafat, they say, will live in their hearts. Munib Al-Misri, a family friend of Arafat’s, was not given permission to enter the hospital and refused to comment about the issue.