People in the Middle East don't like losers.

While the anger seems to be about the perception of selling out to the Israelis, if this results in the downfall of the old terrorist, it presents an opportunity for a more rational Palestinian leadership.

Or crazier ones. This and this alone just may be the reason Powell et al keep clinging to the old terrorist like he was their blankey. (I can't think of any other reason that doesn't involve heavy drugs, revolving lights, and a gold coin being swung slowly back and forth while a voice intones: "You are growing sleeeepy... When you wake up, Yasser Arafat will be your bestest friend.")