The Arafat Enigma

Yasser Arafat is now well over 70, but he still has not quite accomplished his life’s mission. He dreams of a Palestinian nation state — along with over 3 million Palestinians who have spent much of their lives in refugee camps. Once officially deemed a revolutionary terrorist, Arafat was also a 1994 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. He remains a pivotal — and highly controversial — figure in the Middle East. Our new Read My Lips feature examines Arafat’s views — and how others view his role in the continuing violence in the region.

How hard is it for a full-time revolutionary to quit violence?

“I totally and absolutely renounce all forms of tourism.”

(Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority, stumbling over his historic December 1988 renunciation of terrorism)

What was Arafat’s reaction after the 1993 Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement?

“The difficult decision that we reached together required great and exceptional courage.”

(Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority, September 1993)

How did former ‘terrorist’ Arafat view the September 11 terrorist attacks?

“We completely condemn this serious operation — we were completely shocked.”

(Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority, September 2001)

Mr. Mubarak, will creating a Palestine nation state reward Arafat — and terrorism?

“I don’t care about Arafat. I care about stability.”

(Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, October 2001)

How crucial is Arafat’s role for peace in the Middle East?

“Arafat must publicly tell the Palestinian people to knock it off.”

(U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, March 2002)

Is he accomplishing that?

“Mr. Arafat must do a better job.”

(U.S. President George W. Bush, February 2002)

What is Yasser Arafat’s historic role?

“Arafat has been the glue that has kept the disparate parts of the Israelis together. And now, it has brought Bush and Sharon together. Once again, Arafat is the great unifier.”

(David Makovsky, senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, February 2002)

Can he be dismissed as a spent force?

“As far as I am concerned, the era of Arafat is over.”

(Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, October 2001)

What importance do EU leaders ascribe to him?

“Israel needs the Palestinian Authority and its elected president, Mr. Arafat, as a partner to negotiate with.”

(Foreign ministers from the European Union’s 15 member states, January 2002)

Were things any better under Sharon’s predecessor, Ehud Barak?

“The Barak Government of Israel is waging, for the last four months, a savage and barbaric war — as well as a blatant and fascist military aggression against our Palestinian people.”

(Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority, January 2001)

Whom does Arafat hold responsible for his people’s economic woes?

“The whole economy of the Occupied Palestinian Territory is poured into the Israeli treasury.”

(Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority, January 2001)

And finally, would Arafat’s attendance at the 2002 Arab League summit have made any difference?

“Had Mr Arafat been here, he would have pushed things further.”

(Nabil Sha’ath, advisor to Yasser Arafat, March 2002)