One of the good things about the tight relationship between the United States and Israel is that the USA is on hand to save the Israelis from 
themselves when this or that Likudnik government decides to do something truly stupid.
The Israeli security cabinet’s decision to expel Yasser Arafat from the occupied territories (so far a decision in principle, rather than implemented) is a case in point.
Set aside whatever you might think of Arafat and just consider how many positive things would flow from this decision.
On the positive side, expelling Arafat would confirm Israel’s already ample support in Europe and around the world. It would strengthen the hand of accommodationist Arab governments like Jordan and allow pro-Israel Palestinian parties on the West Bank a chance to breath free. And of course since Arafat wouldn’t have access to like a phone or anything there’d be no way he could continue to exercise control within the PA just as he now does from Ramallah.
So many upsides and no drawbacks.
What a great idea.
