What on earth does Arafat do all day? Since December 2001, Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat has been a virtual prisoner in the muqata (district offices) in Ramallah. It is doubtful whether there is any historical precedent for a situation in which someone who heads a political entity is under house arrest and yet continues to manage affairs of state. During his entire period of detention, Arafat has emerged from his office only on rare occasions. After the prolonged siege of Operation Defensive Shield (in March and April 2002), he paid brief visits to Jenin, Nablus and Bethlehem. On two...