Yasser Arafat
Yasser Arafat
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Yasser Arafat was born on August 24, 1929, in Cairo, Egypt, as Muhammad Abd al-Rahman Arafat Qudwa al-Husseini. He is commonly known by his nickname "Abu Ammar," which translates to "Father of the Steep Path."
Birth and Death Dates
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Arafat was born on August 24, 1929, in Cairo, Egypt. He died on November 11, 2004, in Paris, France.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Yasser Arafat was a Palestinian national and politician who served as the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from 1969 until his death in 2004. He was also the President of the Palestinian National Authority from 1993 to 2004.
Early Life and Background
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Arafat was born into a family of modest means in Cairo, Egypt. His father, Abd al-Rahman Arafat Qudwa al-Husseini, was a school teacher, and his mother, Zahwa Salim Sidr, was a housewife. In 1933, Arafat's family moved to Jerusalem, where he spent most of his childhood and teenage years.
Arafat attended the Islamic University in Gaza, but dropped out due to financial difficulties. He then joined the Muslim Brotherhood, a Palestinian Islamist organization that sought to liberate Palestine from Israeli occupation. Arafat quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of the organization's leaders.
Major Accomplishments
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In 1968, Arafat led the PLO in the Battle of Karameh, which became a symbol of Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation.
In 1974, Arafat addressed the United Nations General Assembly, calling for Palestinian self-determination and an end to Israeli occupation.
In 1993, Arafat signed the Oslo Accords with Israel, establishing the Palestinian National Authority and paving the way for limited Palestinian autonomy in Gaza and Jericho.Notable Works or Actions
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Arafat was a skilled politician who managed to unite various Palestinian factions under his leadership.
He played a key role in negotiating several international agreements, including the Oslo Accords and the Camp David Summit.
Despite criticism for his authoritarian tendencies, Arafat maintained significant popular support among Palestinians.
Impact and Legacy
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Yasser Arafat's legacy is complex and multifaceted. As the leader of the PLO, he represented the Palestinian people in their struggle against Israeli occupation. He was a key figure in international efforts to resolve the conflict, negotiating several agreements with Israel.
However, Arafat's authoritarian tendencies and perceived reluctance to compromise on core issues were criticized by many Palestinians and Israelis. His refusal to disarm Palestinian militant groups led to increased violence and criticism from the international community.
Despite these challenges, Arafat remains a revered figure among Palestinians, who see him as a symbol of resistance against Israeli occupation. His legacy continues to influence Palestinian politics and national identity.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Yasser Arafat is widely quoted and remembered for his leadership in the Palestinian struggle for self-determination. He was a skilled politician who managed to unite various Palestinian factions under his leadership, negotiating several international agreements that paved the way for limited Palestinian autonomy.
Arafat's commitment to Palestinian rights and his willingness to challenge Israeli occupation have made him a hero among many Palestinians. His legacy continues to shape Palestinian politics and national identity, ensuring that his message of resistance and self-determination remains relevant today.
Quotes by Yasser Arafat
Yasser Arafat's insights on:
As long as we have decided to coexist in peace, we must do so on a firm basis that will withstand time and for generations.
Though I am not a chief of state, I must work twice as hard as one because I have to both administer a bureaucracy and run a revolution.
Peace, for us, is an asset and in our interest. It is an absolute human asset that allows an individual to freely develop his individuality unbound by any regional, religious, or ethnic fetters.
How can I shave in the midst of guerrilla warfare? On battlefields, we have no facilities for shaving, and that was why I first grew my beard.
I assure you, Ladies and Gentlemen, that we shall discover ourselves in peace more than we have with war and confrontation, as I am sure that the Israelis, in turn shall find themselves in peace more than they have found it in war.
We started the peace process on the basis of land for peace and on the basis of U.N. resolution 242 and 338,1 as well as other international decisions on achieving the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
I call on Russia and the United States of America, the cosponsors of the peace conference, to help the peace process take bigger steps by contributing to the process and helping to overcome all obstacles.
The Palestinians, whose national cause guards the gates of Arab-Israeli peace, look forward like their Arab brethren to that comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on 'land for peace' and compliance with international legitimacy and resolutions.
The Arabs are looking forward to developing their region, which the long years of war had prevented from finding its true place in today's world, in an atmosphere of democracy, pluralism, and prosperity.
I call on all the countries of the world, especially the donor countries, to speed up their contributions so that the Palestinian people may overcome their economic and social problems and proceed with reconstruction and the rebuilding of infrastructures.