September 12, 2001

4:13 PM

Arafat gives blood This moved me. Did you see the look in Arafat's eyes yesterday when he offered his condolences to the Americans? Despite his vociferous and frequent criticism of the US, even he has been taken aback..
posted by Mossy (39 comments total)

Pardon me for being somewhat suspicious of his motives.
posted by republican at 4:16 PM on September 12, 2001

No suspicion, this is personal giving and is arafat's commitment to us. No Palestinian could see this gesture and actually think he is just trying to placate us. Not a fan of Arafat, but I am touched by this gesture, and the message he is sending his people.
posted by wsfinkel at 4:18 PM on September 12, 2001

"I thought there were gonna be cookies here."
posted by gluechunk at 4:20 PM on September 12, 2001

Did you see him talking yesterday republican? He was shocked out of all recognition.
posted by Mossy at 4:21 PM on September 12, 2001

Arafat's been in war. He knows the devastation. He's seen people killed. As a leader, he knows how it feels to not be able to save people. I think it's genuine.
posted by misanthropy at 4:26 PM on September 12, 2001

Even Robin Williams gave blood.

I'm Type O +, I think I should too.
posted by trioperative at 4:42 PM on September 12, 2001

Trioperative, I think that Type O positive is a universal blood type. I'm type O positive too.
posted by misanthropy at 4:50 PM on September 12, 2001

That is a powerful gesture. Those who don't think it is genuine look at it this way, The man is probably now on a couple radical groups hit list for showing compassion to the U.S..
posted by remo at 4:53 PM on September 12, 2001

Yeah, I read that somewhere. I just want to help someone for the first time in my life.
posted by trioperative at 4:58 PM on September 12, 2001

Arafat is a smart man. (Many) Politicians are actors first, civil servants second. He is obviously scared to death after speaking out against the US since the Infitada recommenced. He knows we are trigger happy and he'll do whatever he can to avoid our wrath. Wouldn't any politician worth his or her salt do the same thing?
posted by catatonic at 5:14 PM on September 12, 2001

Oh come on Arafat was clearly rattled by the whole thing, as were most people, I for one appreciated the gesture.
posted by zeoslap at 5:16 PM on September 12, 2001

You think that look in his eye was compassion? To me, it said, "please don't kill me."

I'm very sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinians, but I think Arafat is the scum of the earth and his people's worst enemy.
posted by electro at 5:16 PM on September 12, 2001

Hate to say it, but of all the world leaders who commented on the attack, Arafat looked the most genuinely disturbed.

Obviously it could have been for a lot of reasons, and of course giving blood is a symbolic gesture. But the man truly did looked shocked and disgusted by the attack. Never seen him that way before!

Oh, and the whole thing about the Palestinians 'dancing in the streets' seems WILDLY blown out of proportion. A small percentage of people there may have been happy, but then again a small percentage of people there are blowing themselves up too, so... it's not really a surprise. I think it was bad journalism to make that one of the major stories of the day.
posted by eric anders at 5:21 PM on September 12, 2001

It's clearly a symbolic gesture: Arafat is saying that he is willing to sacrifice something in order to show unusual solidarity with the USA. He's saying that things have changed- he's not trying to play big boy any more.

Both reasons discussed above are probably correct: he doesn't want George Dubya to shoot his country to pieces, especially given his apparent innocence. And he surely understands the pain of losing people.

I also suspect there's a third reason: as an apology for the (few) Palestinians pictured on Western TV dancing in celebration of the disaster. Though they were a tiny minority and the footage has been shown out of all proportion with the reality, Arafat doesn't want Westerners thinking all his nation feels the same way.
posted by skylar at 5:24 PM on September 12, 2001

Screw him. His blood has blood on it.
posted by Postroad at 5:35 PM on September 12, 2001

Even if you think Arafat is the Antichrist (which I don't, for the record), of course he's going to be disturbed. Osama bin Laden has just done grave, possibly terminal, damage to the Palestinian cause.

Quite a few Americans were becoming critical of Israel's latest actions, especially the assasinations of known/suspected terrorists. How many Americans do you think are going to be critical of that policy now?
posted by jaek at 5:41 PM on September 12, 2001

I dunno...does anyone else think that picture looks a little off? it seems like there should be a shadow behind his head. maybe it's just real soft light. what do you think?
posted by mcsweetie at 5:44 PM on September 12, 2001

(The "universal donor" is O-, i.e. me.)

Arafat was looking in fear at the possibility of the US becoming an active belligerent in the Israeli-Palestinian war, on the Israeli side. Of course he was afraid.
posted by Steven Den Beste at 5:45 PM on September 12, 2001

Catatonic -

Echo that. Actor first civil servant second. Nothing surprising really.
posted by HoldenCaulfield at 5:47 PM on September 12, 2001

The BBC's reporting that Israeli tanks are in Jericho tonight: an unprecedented step, given that the city has little in common with Jenin, the place described yesterday as a "training ground for terrorists". Arafat has good reason to fear.
posted by holgate at 5:48 PM on September 12, 2001

Arafat will be dead by the end of the month.
posted by dopamine at 5:48 PM on September 12, 2001

That shocked look on Arafat's face is M.S.
posted by spork at 5:51 PM on September 12, 2001

Arafat will be dead by the end of the month.

a chilling prediction from dopamine! could this tragic september be arafat's last? stay tuned to find out!
posted by mcsweetie at 5:51 PM on September 12, 2001

I'm sure Arafat only did it because Israel's Katzav did it first.
posted by davidM at 5:59 PM on September 12, 2001

On a related note, Bush has asked his staffers to give blood, but I haven't seen any publicity photos of him rolling up his own sleeve. Why not, if even Arafat can do it? Hm, maybe he failed the pre-screen. You know, "Have you, in the past 12 months, traded money or sex for drugs?"
posted by jenwells at 6:46 PM on September 12, 2001

Just because someone isn't entirely blameless in world affairs doesn't mean his pint of blood should be sent back. Regardless of his motives, his actual actions are, as far as I care, honorable.

You callous bastards, all of you.
posted by chicobangs at 6:49 PM on September 12, 2001

It is impossible to know Arafat's true motives.

However, as a person who thinks that he is a corrupt, double-dealing, evil murderer, it is nice to think that he has done a little bit of good in the world. If I were dying and needed it, I would be happy to turn Arafat's blood to a good purpose.

I cannot help but think that I would be even more pleased if he gave the rest of it, though.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 7:03 PM on September 12, 2001

jenwells: The Secret Service won't let Presidents give blood because they don't want just anyone getting his DNA. I remember Clinton went to a pub when he was overseas and the Secret Service kept the glass.
posted by republican at 7:07 PM on September 12, 2001

It's easy to get Clinton's DNA
posted by spork at 7:11 PM on September 12, 2001

Steven Den Beste, thanks for the clarification on blood types. Found this in a Red Cross FAQ:

Type O negative blood is called the “universal blood type” because it can be transfused to people of all blood types. Type O positive can be given to anyone with a positive Rh factor.

Okay, type O positive is not "universal" but it can still be given to a lot of people.
posted by misanthropy at 7:20 PM on September 12, 2001

My husband, who has been ranting about Palestinians for two days, was actually touched by Arafat's gesture.

Only God and Yasser Arafat know what the motive truly is....and that's where I choose to leave it.
posted by bunnyfire at 8:01 PM on September 12, 2001

It's easy to get Clinton's DNA

Thanks, Spork, for my first real laugh of the day. And it's my birthday, too, dammit.
posted by ColdChef at 8:12 PM on September 12, 2001

"Quite a few Americans were becoming critical of Israel's latest actions, especially the assasinations of known/suspected terrorists. How many Americans do you think are going to be critical of that policy now?"

It's amazing how none of the pundits question the wisdom of the US being so cozy with Isreal. What, exactly, do we get from being friends with them, besides the animosity of millions?
posted by drunkkeith at 8:17 PM on September 12, 2001

Personally, I find that life is much more enjoyable when you look for good in people, and expect the best. When Arafat looks at the verge of tears, and offers a pint of blood, and even offers to send special "teams" to help in NYC...I believe in his sincerity.

Conspiracies do not lurk around every corner folks, not every action people take has ulterior motives, and sometimes people really do mean what they portray.

I'd rather be a fool for being optimistic, and looking for good in people, than die a cold, lonely, cynic who never trusted anyone.

The US, I am sure, is taking every foreign action with a grain of salt...as they should... but one cannot dismiss that the terrible events of recent days can be turned into positive relationships that further the cause of peace.

Let's not criticize one of the few international leaders that openly, and without reservations or conditions has chosen to support us at this time. Many others have been too reluctant to do so.
posted by canoeguide at 9:47 PM on September 12, 2001

Drunkkeith, you're asking the wrong question. This is the question you should have asked, and the answer:

"What do American politicians get for supporting Israel?"

The votes of millions of American Jews. (A lot of them are single-issue voters.)
posted by Steven Den Beste at 10:13 PM on September 12, 2001

"Quite a few Americans were becoming critical of Israel's latest actions, especially the assasinations of known/suspected terrorists. How
many Americans do you think are going to be critical of that policy now?"


I am (not that it matters).

If we don't respect the rule of law then we're no better than they are.
posted by electro at 10:36 PM on September 12, 2001

The look in his eye's makes me believe he in fact knows who is behind this tragic event and knows the wrath that will follow!
posted by Grasso9 at 5:32 AM on September 13, 2001

Steven Den Beste

You have hit the nail on the head! The jewish votes here in the states is a major victory.

Sad to say...........
posted by Grasso9 at 7:13 AM on September 13, 2001

I'd glad I'm not the only one who has noticed that Israel seems to be acting like a massive goon over the last couple of days.

donning my flame-proof suit now...
posted by TeamBilly at 2:54 PM on September 13, 2001