Arafat in Serious Condition

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat (75) has been reported to be in critical condition, even lapsing into unconsciousness on October 27.

If Arafat, a key representative for the Palestinians for decades, were to die, it is expected that it would have a negative effect on Middle Eastern politics despite Israel’s recent withdrawal from Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip.

According to Reuters and other foreign news agencies, Palestinian medical teams were rushed to the Muqata government compound west of the Jordan river in Rammallah while Ahmed Qureia and a number of other high ranking government officials also assembled by the leader’s side.

Suha Arafat, who was living in France, came to the Palestinian leader’s side, arriving in Ramallah on October 28.

Sung-Won Joo swon@donga.com