Israeli Analysis Raises New Doubt About Arafat’s Power

As the Bush administration begins its first intensive drive for peace here, senior Israeli officials have concluded that no solution will be possible until new leaders replace Yasir Arafat at the top of the Palestinian movement.

Palestinians present a mirror- image argument: that no agreement is likely or even possible with Ariel Sharon as Israeli prime minister.

On the Israeli side, there has been a subtle but important shift in the statements of recent days, from a claim that Mr. Arafat is simply unwilling to crack down on militants to an argument that he also feels too weak politically to do so. NY Times analysis