Husam Katnani, a Penn State student of Palestinian descent, hopes the recent death of Yasser Arafat will bring hope to the current conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians.

"It's not that I'm indifferent," Katnani (sophomore-bioengineering) said. "I'm not upset from his death because I feel that with it will come positive change in Palestine and Israel."

She said she does feel, however, that Palestinians need to elect another strong leader soon.

"I think depending on what Palestine does, whether it unites or is weak, Israel could manipulate this situation and take advantage of it any way they can," Katnani said.

Former Palestinian leader Arafat died of a brain hemorrhage early yesterday morning in Paris after slipping into a coma. He was admitted into a Paris hospital for a blood ailment and digestive problems on Oct. 29.

"I think his death opens the door for the opportunity to negotiate peace," Tuvia Abramson, executive director of Penn State Hillel, said. "Maybe Palestinian leadership will take the time to say 'all right, terror didn't work, maybe we should try compromise.' "

Brendan McCall (senior-English and women's studies) is a member of the Students for Justice in Palestine and said Arafat's death does not pose a problem for electing a new leader.

"His death opens doors for a more diverse range of political perspectives," he said. "The problem is that the new voices that will emerge will also be part of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, so there will not be a change of perspective."

Abramson said he feels Israel will attempt peaceful negotiations.

"Israel has lost many people and are tired of this mentality," he said. "They will start negotiations within a minute because violence will not work."

Despite Arafat's winning a Nobel Peace Prize in 1994, Abramson feels the leader could never change from "terrorism to statesmanship."

"I don't have too much love for Arafat because he could have brought peace and understanding, but instead, he brought terror and control," he said.

Although Arafat is gone, the chance for peace is still dim, McCall said.

"I have never had much faith in the peace process," he said. "Maybe through negotiations, you could achieve it, but for that, you need two parties approaching in good face, and that just hasn't happened yet."

Abramson said Arafat's death presents an opportunity for the U.S. government.

"[President George W.] Bush will be demanded to do something, and there is a possibility of an honest negotiation," he said.

McCall said he is doubtful Bush will attempt peace negotiations.

"I don't think he's going to interfere," McCall said. "I think we'll see a lot of public statements and support for [Israeli Prime Minister] Ariel Sharon and entrench itself further in its 57-year policy of support for the Israeli government."