Delve into the complex life and legacy of Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian political leader who played a pivotal role in the quest for Palestinian self-determination. Born in August 1929 in Cairo, Arafat embraced Arab nationalism and anti-Zionist ideals during his student years at the University of King Fuad I.
His opposition to the creation of the State of Israel led him to fight in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War alongside the Muslim Brotherhood. Arafat co-founded the paramilitary organization Fatah in the late 1950s, aiming for the establishment of a Palestinian state. As Fatah's influence grew, Arafat joined the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1967 and became its chairman in 1969. The group faced conflicts in Jordan and later relocated to Lebanon, engaging in military clashes with Israel. In the 1980s, Arafat shifted towards negotiation, acknowledging Israel's right to exist and endorsing a two-state solution. His return to Palestine in 1994 marked a new phase, involving negotiations such as the Oslo Accords. Despite being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 alongside Israeli leaders, Arafat faced criticism, with his support declining in the face of rivals like Hamas.
This biography explores Arafat's controversial image-seen as a martyr by Palestinians, labelled a terrorist by Israelis, and criticized by some Palestinian factions for perceived shortcomings.
His death in 2004, after years of confinement by the Israeli army, left a complex and contested legacy in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.