The most dramatic moment occurred the evening after Yom Kippur. We were sitting in the courtyard of Arafat's Mukatah (compound): a group of Israeli peace activists and Palestinian friends. A mild wind was blowing after a hot day. We were talking about the situation (what else?) and the latest gossip on the Palestinian leadership. From time to time a senior Palestinian Authority official joined us, in between visits to the President.

LRB 6 November 2003 | PDF Download