The answer is their fear of the mob that Arafat instigates in their own countries. Under such circumstances, it is hard to imagine peace in the Middle East. Now, even children as young as 12 will, with parental consent, have the legal right to demand euthanasia. The dead cannot change their minds. However many legal safeguards there are, some families will pressurize sick or elderly relations, who already fear becoming a burden.
Voluntary euthanasia is largely a myth.
The Vatican has assailed the Dutch measure as an affront to human dignity, but there is little obvious dignity in refusing to hasten an inevitable, agonizing death against a patient's wishes. These reasons can only be respected. But the Netherlands has taken a brave step toward dealing with a practical dilemma that, given the ceaseless advance of medicine, will only grow more common.