Standing In Line With Arafat out of the picture, speculation abounds as to who will succeed him. GIL SEDAN Jewish Telegraphic Agency Jerusalem W hen the Islamic Prophet Mohammed was dying in 632 A.D., one of his disciples, the future Caliph Omar, raised his sword to strike down anyone who dared to claim that the prophet had breathed his last breath. According to Islamic tradition, Omar's colleague Abu-Bakr rebuked him. "If anyone worships Mohammed, Mohammed is dead. If anyone worships God, God is alive, immortal," Abu Bakr said. If that was the case with Mohammed, many Palestinians argued this week, then it certainly is true of Yasser Arafat, who has been on life- support in a Paris hospital as his wife and Palestinian Authority leaders guard informa- tion on his condition. The story about Mohammed has made the rounds in Palestinian areas to justify the transfer of power in the Palestinian Authority even before Arafat was declared dead. The current and former P.A. prime min- isters divvied up Arafat's responsibilities when he left for France in late October. The power shift generally was accepted, but one important Palestinian — the ail- ing president's wife, Suha — rejected it. On Sunday, Suha Arafat charged three veteran Palestinian leaders — P.A. Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei; Mahmoud Abbas, chairman of the PLO's exec- utive committee and a former P.A. prime minister, and Foreign Minister Nabil Sha'ath — of a conspiracy to "bury Abu Ammar [Arafat] while he was still alive." Suha Arafat made her dramatic statement in an emo- tional interview with Al-Jazeera, the Arabic satellite tel- evision station, while the three leaders were en route to Paris to look into Arafat's condition. Suha Arafat, who had not visited the Palestinian areas nor seen her husband since the intifada began more than four years ago, has closely controlled access to her husband in Paris. But the Palestinian leaders stressed that as the national leader, Arafat belonged to the entire Palestinian people, not just to his wife. In Israel, Suha Arafat's unexpected broad- side was seen as part of a behind-the-scenes battle for an estimated $900 million in Arafat's bank accounts, much of it believed to be loot- ed from public PA. funds. But the impression her out- burst may create could further complicate efforts to ensure a smooth transition of power once Arafat is declared dead. So far, the name of the game has been unity, with everyone from the old guard to the young guard and Fatah to Hamas saying: Let everyone appear united until the "day after," until the present political mist Co VER ST ORY clears. Under Palestinian law, Rawhi Fattouh, speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, would take Arafat's place as Palestinian Authority president for 60 days, after which new elections would be held. But Fattouh is little known among Palestinians and has no political base. It seems increasingly likely that, at least transitionally, the Palestinians will be led by a collective headed by Qurei and Abbas. Under this arrangement, Qurei would deal with the daily affairs of governing while Abbas handles diplomacy, Palestinian officials said. "Tunis" Leaders From Israel's point of view, that's good news: Both of the men have good records of dialogue with Israelis. Then again, that may prove counterproductive as they work to establish credibility among Palestinians, since it can hurt a leader's popularity to be considered too close to Israel. Both Abbas and Qurei are seen as part of the "Tunis leadership," the Arafat intimates who lived in exile and never really shared the plight of the local Palestinian population. Arafat ran Palestinian affairs from Tunisia between 1982 and 1994. In addition, Abbas and Qurei could yet find them- selves challenged by other powerful and popular ele- Out Of Chaos Palestinian leaders try to hold down the lid. DAN BARON Jewish Telegraphic Agency Jerusalem he temporary Palestinian leadership is breath- ing new life into prospects for peace with Israel. Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei and his predecessor, Mahmoud Abbas, declared a police crackdown on the chaos in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Sunday, Nov. 7. "This goes into effect immediately," said Palestinian Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat. The initiative was billed as a move to restore law and order after recent clashes between Arafat loyalists and a new generation of Fatah members. It also included a Palestinian Authority request that terror factions halt attacks on Israel proper, a move the groups were con- sidering and were expected to accept. Israeli officials, who has braced for a potentially cata- strophic succession struggle in the West Bank and Gaza since Arafat was flown to Paris with a severe stomach illness on Oct. 29, expressed cautious encouragement. 11/12 2004 30 "There are indications that" the Palestinian Authority is "trying, to close ranks and stop the Hamas terrorism, but there is no way of knowing if this will succeed," Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told the Israeli Cabinet. 'We believe Hamas and other terror groups will answer the Palestinian Authority's call for violence to be curbed." Israel insists that the Palestinian Authority disarm Hamas and other terrorists group in accordance with the U.S.-backed peace "road map." That need was underscored over the weekend by the death of an Israeli soldier in a "friendly fire" incident as his unit clashed with Palestinian gunmen in the West Bank town of Tulkarm. In a separate incident in nearby Jenin, Israeli com- mandos killed four Al-Aksa Brigade terrorists. But in Jerusalem there is a growing conviction that, with Arafat gone, the extremists could lay down their arms in exchange for a place in a new, broad Palestinian government. On Nov. 6, Qurei and his security chiefs held a rare conference with Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al-Aksa Brigade at which the factions requested a power-shar- ing role. The Palestinian Authority, wary of alienating Israel and the United States by closing ranks with ter- rorist groups, was circumspect. "We are talking about unity in all forms and aspects," Qurei told reporters. Israel, meanwhile, is keen to avoid any appearance of meddling in the future of the Palestinian Authority and offered to ease closures in the West Bank and Gaza so that Palestinian security forces can restore order. Mofaz also told the Cabinet that Israeli security forces were prepared to facilitate Arafat's burial in Gaza should he die. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has ruled out the Palestinian Authority's request to lay Arafat to rest in Jerusalem, but some Palestinian officials dis- creetly agree with the choice of Gaza — the Palestinian leader's father is already buried there, in the Khan Younis Martyrs Cemetery. Arafat's wife, Suha, has reportedly requested that he be kept on a life-support system indefinitely — or at least until she can wrap up his will to her satisfaction. The delay has increased tension in the Palestinian ranks.