Yasser Arafat

Extracted Attributes

• Kunya

  Abu Ammar

• Awards

  Nobel Peace Prize (1994)

• Religion

  Sunni Muslim

• Education

  Civil Engineering degree from Cairo University (formerly King Fuad I University)

• Full Name

  Mohammed Abdel Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini

• Date of Birth

  1929-08-24

• Date of Death

  2004-11-11

• Place of Birth

  Cairo, Egypt

• Place of Death

  Clamart, France

• Political Affiliation

  Fatah (Founder), Palestine Liberation Organization

Timeline

• Born in Cairo, Egypt (though some sources and family claims suggest Jerusalem). (Source: Britannica)

  1929-08-24

• Fought alongside the Muslim Brotherhood during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1948-05-15

• Co-founded the Fatah political and paramilitary organization. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1959-01-01

• Elected as the chairman of the PLO Executive Committee. (Source: CNN)

  1969-02-03

• Delivered his 'Olive Branch' speech to the United Nations General Assembly. (Source: CNN)

  1974-11-13

• Forced to leave Beirut, Lebanon, following the Israeli invasion, relocating to Tunis. (Source: Britannica)

  1982-08-30

• Proclaimed the independence of the State of Palestine and acknowledged Israel's right to exist. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1988-11-15

• Signed the Oslo I Accord with Yitzhak Rabin at the White House. (Source: CNN)

  1993-09-13

• Returned to the Palestinian territories (Gaza) after 27 years in exile. (Source: CNN)

  1994-07-01

• Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway. (Source: Biography.com)

  1994-12-10

• Participated in the Camp David Summit with Ehud Barak and Bill Clinton. (Source: Britannica)

  2000-07-11

• Died at the Percy military hospital in Clamart, France. (Source: Wikidata)

  2004-11-11

Yasser Arafat

Yasser Arafat (c. August 1929 – 11 November 2004), also popularly known by his kunya Abu Ammar, was a Palestinian political leader. He was chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from 1969 to 2004, President of Palestine from 1989 to 2004 and President of the Palestinian Authority (PNA) from 1994 to 2004. Ideologically an Arab nationalist and a socialist, Arafat was a founding member of the Fatah political party, which he led from 1959 until 2004. Arafat was born to Palestinian parents in Cairo, Egypt, where he spent most of his youth. He studied at the University of King Fuad I. While a student, he embraced Arab nationalist and anti-Zionist ideas. Opposed to the 1948 creation of the State of Israel, he fought alongside the Muslim Brotherhood during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Following the defeat of Arab forces, Arafat returned to Cairo and served as president of the General Union of Palestinian Students from 1952 to 1956. In the latter part of the 1950s, Arafat co-founded Fatah, a paramilitary organization which sought Israel's replacement with a Palestinian state. Fatah operated within several Arab countries, from where it launched attacks on Israeli targets. In the latter part of the 1960s Arafat's profile grew; in 1967 he joined the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and in 1969 was elected chair of the Palestinian National Council (PNC). Fatah's growing presence in Jordan resulted in military clashes with King Hussein's Jordanian government and in the early 1970s it relocated to Lebanon. There, Fatah assisted the Lebanese National Movement during the Lebanese Civil War and continued its attacks on Israel, resulting in the organization becoming a major target of Israeli invasions during the 1978 South Lebanon conflict and 1982 Lebanon War. From 1983 to 1993, Arafat based himself in Tunisia, and began to shift his approach from open conflict with the Israelis to negotiation. In 1988, he acknowledged Israel's right to exist and sought a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. In 1994, he returned to Palestine, settling in Gaza City and promoting self-governance for the Palestinian territories. He engaged in a series of negotiations with the Israeli government to end the conflict between it and the PLO. These included the Madrid Conference of 1991, the 1993 Oslo Accords and the 2000 Camp David Summit. The success of the negotiations in Oslo led to Arafat being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, alongside Israeli prime ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres, in 1994. At the time, Fatah's support among the Palestinians declined with the growth of Hamas and other militant rivals. In late 2004, after effectively being confined within his Ramallah compound for over two years by the Israeli army, Arafat fell into a coma and died. The cause of Arafat's death remains the subject of speculation. Investigations by Russian and French teams determined no foul play was involved, while a Swiss team determined he was radiologically poisoned. Arafat remains a controversial figure. Palestinians generally view him as a martyr who symbolized the national aspirations of his people, while many Israelis regarded him as a terrorist. Palestinian rivals, including Islamists and several PLO radicals, frequently denounced him as corrupt or too submissive in his concessions to the Israeli government.

Web Search Results

• Yasser Arafat - Wikipedia

  Yasser Arafat (c. August 1929 – 11 November 2004), also popularly known by his kunya "Kunya (Arabic)") Abu Ammar, was a Palestinian political leader. He was chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from 1969 to 2004, President of Palestine from 1989 to 2004 and President of the Palestinian Authority (PNA) from 1994 to 2004. Ideologically an Arab nationalist and a socialist, Arafat was a founding member of the Fatah political party, which he led from 1959 until 2004. [...] 16. ^ Hart 1989, p. 67 17. ^ Dunn, Michael (2004). "Arafat, Yasir". In Mattar, Philip (ed.). Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East & North Africa: A–C. Vol. 1. Detroit: Macmillan Reference. pp. 269–272. ISBN "ISBN (identifier)") 978-0-02-865769-1. Arafat and his family have always insisted that he was born 4 August 1929. in his mother's family home in Jerusalem. Nevertheless, an Egyptian birth registration exists, suggesting that he was born in Egypt on 24 August 1929... 18. ^ a b Sicherman, Harvey (1 January 2011). "Arafat, The Man Who Wanted Too Much". Orbis. 55 (3): 472–480. doi "Doi (identifier)"):10.1016/j.orbis.2011.04.012. ISSN "ISSN (identifier)") 0030-4387. 19. ^ a b "The Father of Modern Terrorism - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 12 November 2004. Retrieved 30 November 2025. [...] Arafat was born to Palestinian parents in Cairo, Egypt, where he spent most of his youth. He studied at the University of King Fuad I. While a student, he embraced Arab nationalist and anti-Zionist ideas. Opposed to the 1948 creation of the State of Israel, he fought alongside the Muslim Brotherhood during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Following the defeat of Arab forces, Arafat returned to Cairo and served as president of the General Union of Palestinian Students from 1952 to 1956.

• Yasser Arafaft: Biography, Palestinian Political Leader, Facts

  Born in Cairo in 1929, Yasser Arafat was named chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization 40 years later. From this post, he was at the forefront of years of violence, border disputes and the Palestinian liberation movement, all centering on neighboring Israel. Arafat signed a self-governing pact with Israel in 1991, at the Madrid Conference, and together with Israeli leaders made several attempts at lasting peace soon after, notably through the Oslo Accords (1993) and the Camp David Summit of 2000. Stemming from the Oslo Accords, Arafat and Israel's Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres shared the Nobel Peace Prize, but the terms were never implemented. Arafat ceded his PLO chairman post in 2003, and died in Paris in 2004. In November 2013, Swiss researchers released a report containing [...] # QUICK FACTS Name: Yasser Arafat Birth Year: 1929 Birth date: August 24, 1929 Birth City: Cairo Birth Country: Egypt Gender: Male Best Known For: Yasser Arafat was chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization from 1969 until his death in 2004, a tumultuous period in which clashes with neighboring Israel were prevalent. Industries + World Politics + War and Militaries Astrological Sign: Virgo Schools + University of Faud I (Cairo University) Nationalities + Egyptian Cultural Associations + Arabic/Middle Eastern Death Year: 2004 Death date: November 11, 2004 Death City: Paris Death Country: France # Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! Watch Next Advertisement - Continue Reading Below [...] In the years since his death, conspiracy theories regarding the true cause of Arafat's demise have abounded, many holding Israel responsible. In November 2013, researchers in Switzerland released a report revealing that tests conducted on Arafat's remains and some of his belongings support the theory that the late Egyptian leader was poisoned. Evidence from the report suggests that radioactive polonium—a highly toxic substance—had been used. Suha Arafat, Yasser Arafat's widow, supported the findings in media interviews as proof of Arafat's murder. Other authorities, including a Russian medical investigation team called to the case, have maintained that they believe Arafat died of natural causes. # QUICK FACTS

• Yasser Arafat | Biography, History, & Facts - Britannica

  Yasser Arafat (born August 24?, 1929 see [Researcher’s Note], Cairo?, Egypt—died November 11, 2004, Paris, France) was the president (1996–2004) of the Palestinian Authority (PA), chairman (1969–2004) of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and leader of Fatah, the largest of the constituent PLO groups. In 1993 he led the PLO to a peace agreement with the Israeli government. Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres of Israel were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1994. ## Early life [...] The Israeli invasion of Lebanon forced Arafat to abandon his Beirut headquarters at the end of August 1982 and set up a new headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia. Conflict between Syria and Arafat broadened in the wake of the Israeli invasion, and Syria took advantage of a rift in the PLO to support anti-Arafat factions, hoping to remove Arafat and restyle the PLO as a pro-Syrian organization. Although Arafat tried to return to Lebanon in 1983, he was besieged by Fatah rebels supported by Syria and was again forced into exile. Syria’s actions, however, bolstered support for Arafat among many Palestinians, and, as the PLO split healed, Arafat was subsequently able to reaffirm his leadership. Quick Facts Also spelled: : Yāsir ʿArafāt Byname of: : Muḥammad ʿAbd al-Raʾūf al-Qudwah al-Ḥusaynī [...] Arafat was one of seven children of a well-to-do merchant and was related, by his father and by his mother, to the prominent al-Ḥusaynī family, which played a major role in Palestinian history (among its members was the grand mufti of Jerusalem, Amīn al-Ḥusaynī, a key figure of the opposition to Zionism during the British mandate). In 1949 Arafat began his studies in civil engineering at Cairo’s King Fuʾād University (later Cairo University). He claimed to have fought as a volunteer during the first of the Arab-Israeli wars (1948–49) and then again against the British at the Suez Canal in the early 1950s, although these claims—along with other facts and episodes from his early life—have been disputed. While a student in Egypt, he joined the Union of Palestinian Students and served as its

• Yasser Arafat Fast Facts - CNN

  Birth name: Mohammed Abdel Raouf Arafat al Qudwa al Husseini Father: Abd al Raouf al Qudwa al Husseini, a merchant Mother: Zahwa Abu Saud Marriage: Suha Tawil (November 1991-November 11, 2004, his death) Children: Zahwa Arafat Education: Cairo University, civil engineering degree Religion: Sunni Muslim ## Other Facts The nickname Yasir or Yasser means “easy-going” in Arabic. Arafat acquired it as a teenager. Arafat’s alias, Abu Ammar, was adopted in the mid 1960s. ## Timeline 1950s - After graduating from college, Arafat founded a nationalistic group called Fatah. The group published literature that advocated armed rebellion against Israel. [...] Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat — Arafat founded the group Al-Fatah in 1958, advocating for armed struggle against Israel. A decade later, the group joined the Palestine Liberation Organization, which was formed under the authority of the Arab League. Arafat, seen here in December 1968, was elected chairman of the PLO's executive committee in February 1969. Jean-Claude Sauer/Paris Match/Getty Images Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat — In November 1974, Arafat addresses the General Assembly of the United Nations. "I have come bearing an olive branch and a freedom fighter's gun," he was quoted as saying. "Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand." AFP/Getty Images Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat — [...] Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat — With U.S. President Bill Clinton watching, Arafat shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin after the two signed the Oslo peace accord in Washington on September 13, 1993. Jean-Louis Atlan/Paris Match/Getty Images Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat — On July 1, 1994, Arafat waves to a crowd of cheering Palestinians as he crosses the border into Gaza for the first time in 27 years. MANOOCHER DEGHATI/AFP/Getty Images Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat — Arafat accepts the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 1994. He collected the prize jointly with Rabin and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, in recognition of their historic peace accord. MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/Getty Images Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat —

• Yasser Arafat - From Resistance to Recognition Documentary

  Born in Cairo, Arafat co-founded the Fatah movement and rose to become the long-time Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1969. For decades, he championed armed resistance, transforming the PLO into the internationally recognized voice for the Palestinian people. His signature checkered keffiyeh became a global symbol of revolution. However, Arafat's journey took a dramatic turn toward diplomacy in the late 1980s. He led the PLO to a pivotal moment with the 1993 Oslo Accords, famously shaking hands with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and sharing the Nobel Peace Prize the following year. As the first President of the Palestinian Authority, he returned to the region to build a new administration. [...] state may be possible once more. The man’s name? …..Yasser Arafat…..leader of Palestine. The man known to history as Yasser Arafat is understood to have born in August 1929 in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. The exact date is uncertain. Most historians conclude that he was born on the 4th of August, but other documents state the 24th. Owing to poor record-keeping in parts of the Middle East at the time it is possible that he was even born in 1928, though the 4th of August 1929 is the most probable date. His full name was Muhammad Abdul Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini. It seems reasonably clear that he was born in Cairo, though Arafat later muddied the waters when it came to this, as he tried to claim he [...] # Yasser Arafat - From Resistance to Recognition Documentary ## The People Profiles 1600000 subscribers 829 likes ### Description 47871 views Posted: 3 Oct 2025 Hello everyone! If you enjoyed the video, please help feed the algorithm by liking and commenting. This is very important as the more you like and comment on each video the better it will perform, so please help us if you can. Thank you! He was a guerrilla leader who became a Nobel Peace laureate—Yasser Arafat remains one of the most polarizing figures of the 20th century. This video explores the complex life of the man who personified the Palestinian struggle for statehood.

• Award

  Nobel Peace Prize

• Image

  

• Gender

  male

• Educated At

  Cairo University

• Instance Of

  Q5

• Occupation

  politician

• Citizenship

  Palestine

• Date Of Birth

  8/4/1929

• Date Of Death

  11/11/2004

• Place Of Birth

  Cairo

• Place Of Death

  Hôpital d'instruction des armées Percy