The vacuum that former Palestinian Authority chairman Yasser Arafat left in the Palestinian leadership has not been filled, but Arafat's heritage is stronger today than it was a year ago, Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser al-Kidwa said yesterday.

In an interview marking the first anniversary of Arafat's death based on the Muslim calendar, al-Kidwa said Israel is consistently and relentlessly eliminating the option of two states living side by side.

"Israel will not be able to evade the legal implications of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) about the separation fence even in 100 years," he said.

The issue of Arafat's death will remain an open case until clear evidence of its cause is found, al-Kidwa said. He added that Arafat left no political or family will.

No ceremonies marking the anniversary of Arafat's death are being held in West Bank villages, towns and refugee camps.

Haaretz: Has the Palestinian leader been forgotten?

al-Kidwa: "I don't think people have forgotten. To the contrary, the simple man is aware of the political vacuum Arafat has left behind and of the importance of his heritage. But there is a general sense of tiredness, and people are busy with everyday problems. The failure to organize commemoration ceremonies is like other failures in the Palestinian Authority. He never became a burden - that's a typical Israeli misconception based on Israel's approach to a settlement with the Palestinians. Sharon didn't want a settlement, and therefore Arafat became an enemy and an obstacle after he had negotiated with Rabin and had been a friend."

A Palestinian state is nowhere in sight. Bush said he doesn't know if it will be established during his term in office. The fence is being completed. Jerusalem is being cut off from the West Bank and marking Israel's borders, while you are not getting your rights. It's hard to say that you gained anything by diplomacy in the past year.

"Israel is rapidly closing the window of opportunity for two states. It is close to forming a binational state. Today the situation is very similar to the one in Yasser Arafat's era, and things depend on Israel much more than they depend on us. The unilateral separation is a strategic failure. It's nonsense to think you can separate yourselves with a fence from the other without asking yourself what the situation is and giving rights. Geography will prove that you are wrong."