Yasser Arafat takes over as chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Mohammed Abdel Rahman Abdel Raouf al-Qudwa al-Husseini, widely recognized by his adopted name Yasser Arafat, and by his kunya Abu Ammar, was an iconic Palestinian political figure whose life was inextricably linked to the struggle for Palestinian self-determination. Born on August 24, 1929, though some sources indicate April 24, 1929, in Cairo, Egypt, he passed away on November 11, 2004, leaving behind a complex and controversial legacy. Arafat's leadership spanned several decades, during which he served as Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from 1969 until his death in 2004, and as the first President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) from its inception in 1994 until 2004. An ardent Arab nationalist, he was a pivotal founding member of the Fatah political party in 1959, leading it for 45 years until his demise.

Early Life, Education, and the Genesis of a Revolutionary

Yasser Arafat spent a significant portion of his formative years in Cairo, where his Palestinian parents had settled. His academic pursuits led him to the University of King Fuad I (now Cairo University), where he studied civil engineering. During his university years, the tumultuous political climate of the Middle East profoundly shaped his worldview. He embraced fervent Arab nationalist sentiments and became a staunch anti-Zionist, deeply opposed to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. This pivotal event, known as the Nakba (catastrophe) by Palestinians, galvanized his commitment to the Palestinian cause. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, where he reportedly fought alongside the Muslim Brotherhood, Arafat returned to Cairo, becoming a prominent voice for Palestinian students. From 1952 to 1956, he served as president of the General Union of Palestinian Students, using this platform to advocate for Palestinian rights and mobilize support for their aspirations.

The Founding of Fatah and the Escalation of Resistance

In the latter half of the 1950s, amidst a growing sense of frustration with the inability of Arab states to liberate Palestine, Arafat co-founded Fatah, a new, more direct approach to the Palestinian struggle. Fatah, a reversal of the Arabic acronym for "Harakat al-Tahrir al-Watani al-Filastini" (Palestinian National Liberation Movement), also means "conquest" or "victory." Initially conceived as a paramilitary organization, Fatah's primary objective was the armed removal of Israel and its replacement with a secular, democratic Palestinian state spanning the entirety of historical Palestine. Operating from various Arab host countries, particularly Jordan, Fatah launched a series of armed attacks and commando raids against Israeli targets, including military installations and civilian areas, intensifying the conflict in the region.

Rise to Prominence and Strategic Relocations

Arafat's profile soared in the late 1960s, especially after the 1967 Six-Day War, which saw Israel occupy the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. In 1967, he officially joined the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which had been founded in 1964. His ascent within the organization was rapid, and in 1969, he was elected Chairman of the Palestinian National Council (PNC), the PLO's legislative body, effectively becoming the face of the Palestinian national movement. Fatah's growing presence and influence in Jordan, however, led to severe military clashes with King Hussein's Jordanian government in September 1970, an event famously known as "Black September." This conflict resulted in the expulsion of Fatah and the PLO's armed factions from Jordan, forcing their relocation to Lebanon in the early 1970s. In Lebanon, Fatah played a significant, albeit controversial, role, assisting the Lebanese National Movement during the protracted Lebanese Civil War while continuing its armed struggle against Israel. This ongoing campaign made the PLO a primary target of Israel's major invasions of Lebanon in 1978 and 1982, ultimately leading to the PLO's forced withdrawal from Beirut in 1982.

Shifting Strategies: From Armed Struggle to Diplomacy

Following the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, Yasser Arafat and the PLO leadership were compelled to relocate once more, establishing their base in Tunis, Tunisia, from 1983 to 1993. This period marked a crucial turning point in Arafat's strategic approach, signaling a shift from an exclusive reliance on open armed conflict with the Israelis towards a more diplomatic path. In a landmark declaration in 1988, Arafat unequivocally acknowledged Israel's right to exist within secure borders and publicly renounced terrorism, a significant concession that opened doors for international dialogue. He subsequently committed the PLO to pursuing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, advocating for an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

The Peace Process and Its Aftermath

The 1990s witnessed Arafat's deep engagement in a series of historic negotiations aimed at resolving the long-standing conflict. These included his participation in the Madrid Conference of 1991, an early multilateral peace effort, and most notably, the clandestine talks that culminated in the 1993 Oslo Accords. These accords, signed on the White House lawn, led to mutual recognition between the PLO and Israel and laid the groundwork for Palestinian self-rule. In 1994, Arafat made a momentous return to Palestine, settling in Gaza City and spearheading the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), which was designed to govern parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. For his pivotal role in the Oslo negotiations, Arafat was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994, sharing the honor with Israeli Prime Ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres. Despite these diplomatic breakthroughs, a final peace agreement remained elusive, with the 2000 Camp David Summit failing to bridge the remaining gaps. Concurrently, Fatah's political dominance among Palestinians began to wane, challenged by the ascendance of rival factions, including the Islamist movement Hamas and other militant groups, who often criticized the perceived failures of the peace process and allegations of corruption within the PNA.

Death and Enduring Legacy

In his final years, Yasser Arafat faced increasing isolation, effectively confined by the Israeli army to his compound in Ramallah, West Bank, for over two years. In late 2004, his health rapidly deteriorated, leading to a coma and his death on November 11, 2004, in a French military hospital. While the exact cause of his death has been the subject of persistent speculation and conspiracy theories, official investigations conducted by Russian and French teams rigorously determined that no foul play, such as poisoning, was involved. Yasser Arafat remains a profoundly controversial and polarizing figure. For many Palestinians, he is revered as a martyr and a paramount symbol of their national aspirations, embodying their resilience and struggle for statehood. Conversely, a significant number of Israelis view him primarily as a terrorist responsible for numerous acts of violence against civilians. Furthermore, he faced sharp criticism from within the Palestinian political spectrum, including from Islamist groups and some PLO leftists, who frequently denounced him for alleged corruption or for making excessive concessions to the Israeli government.

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO): A Historical Overview

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), known in Arabic as Munazzamat at-Tahrir al-Filastiniyah, is a prominent Palestinian nationalist political and militant organization. Founded in 1964, its initial and ambitious purpose was to establish Arab unity and statehood over the entire territory of former Mandatory Palestine, explicitly in opposition to the existence of the State of Israel. Mandatory Palestine refers to the geopolitical entity administered by the United Kingdom between 1920 and 1948, formed from the Ottoman Southern Syria region after World War I.

Evolution of Objectives and International Recognition

A significant shift in the PLO's objectives occurred in 1993, particularly alongside the signing of the Oslo I Accord. This landmark agreement saw the PLO revise its aspiration for Arab statehood to be specifically for the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which have been under Israeli occupation since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. This pragmatic adjustment marked a de facto acceptance of a two-state solution. The PLO is currently headquartered in the city of Al-Bireh in the West Bank and holds immense international standing, being recognized as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people by over 100 countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. Since 1974, it has enjoyed observer status at the United Nations (UN) as the official recognized government of the de jure State of Palestine, allowing it to participate in UN proceedings and represent Palestinian interests on the global stage.

Complex Relationship with Israel and the International Community

Due to its history of militant activities, including acts of violence primarily targeting Israeli civilians, the PLO was designated as a terrorist organization by the United States in 1987. However, a pivotal moment arrived in 1988 when a presidential waiver was issued, permitting official American contact with the organization, signaling a potential shift in diplomatic engagement. A more profound transformation occurred in 1993, as part of the Oslo peace process: the PLO formally recognized Israel's right to exist in peace, accepted United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 (which calls for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in 1967 in exchange for peace), and explicitly rejected "violence and terrorism." In a reciprocal move, Israel officially recognized the PLO as a legitimate authority representing the Palestinian people, paving the way for direct negotiations. However, despite its participation in the Oslo Accords and the commitment to peace, the PLO continued to employ tactics of violence in the subsequent years, most notably during the intense period of the Second Intifada (also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada) from 2000 to 2005, which saw a surge in conflict and casualties.

Recent Developments in PLO-Israeli Relations

The trajectory of PLO-Israeli relations has been marked by periods of engagement and disengagement. A significant recent development occurred on October 29, 2018, when the Palestinian Central Council (PCC), a key decision-making body within the PLO, voted to suspend the Palestinian recognition of Israel. This move, stemming from deep frustration over the stalled peace process, perceived Israeli violations of agreements, and shifts in US policy, also led to a subsequent halt of all forms of security and economic cooperation with Israel. This decision underscores the ongoing challenges and profound complexities inherent in the pursuit of a lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Yasser Arafat and the PLO

Who was Yasser Arafat?
Yasser Arafat, born Mohammed Abdel Rahman Abdel Raouf al-Qudwa al-Husseini, was a prominent Palestinian political leader. He served as Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from 1969 to 2004 and as the first President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) from 1994 to 2004. He was also a co-founder and long-time leader of the Fatah political party.
What was the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) founded for?
The PLO was founded in 1964 with the initial aim of establishing Arab unity and statehood over the entire territory of former Mandatory Palestine, challenging the existence of Israel. After the 1993 Oslo Accords, its goal shifted to establishing a Palestinian state specifically in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territories occupied by Israel since 1967.
Did Yasser Arafat win the Nobel Peace Prize?
Yes, Yasser Arafat was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994, sharing it with Israeli Prime Ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres. The award recognized their efforts and breakthroughs in the peace negotiations that led to the Oslo Accords.
Did the PLO ever recognize Israel?
Yes, in 1993, as part of the Oslo peace process, the PLO formally recognized Israel's right to exist in peace and accepted UN Security Council Resolution 242. In return, Israel officially recognized the PLO as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
Why is Yasser Arafat a controversial figure?
Yasser Arafat is controversial due to his dual roles: for many Palestinians, he is a national hero and martyr who symbolized their struggle for independence. However, for many Israelis, he is viewed as a terrorist responsible for attacks against civilians. Internally, he also faced criticism from Palestinian factions regarding corruption and perceived concessions in peace negotiations.