Yet the fact remains that after decades of Yasir Arafat's autocratic rule, and despite the obvious constraints of continued Israeli occupation, the Palestinians did elect a leader in a relatively free and competitive election. For years, Arafat avoided holding elections, as required by the laws of the Palestinian Authority, under the pretense that they cannot be held under occupation: but, lo and behold, two months after his demise, an election was held - and with resounding success.
在历经了亚瑟·阿拉法特长达数载的独裁统治后，尽管以色列的持续占领还有诸多明显限制，巴勒斯坦此次确实是在一个相对自由、公平竞争的环境中选举出了一名领袖。巴勒斯坦民族权力机构的法律规定，不能在被占领情况下举行选举。多年来，阿拉法特总是籍此来回避举行选举；但是，你看，就在阿拉法塔去世后两个月，就举行了一场选举，并且盛况空前。