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As part of an effort to present himself to the world as the epitome of "Palestine", Arafat would often claim to have been born in Jerusalem (sometime he would identify Gaza as his place of birth). The truth of the matter is that he was born in Cairo, Egypt. Even in his later years his accent and dialect was typical of Egyptians rather than "Palestinians".<ref>[http://www.aish.com/jw/me/48909857.html - Aish]</ref>
As part of an effort to present himself to the world as the epitome of "Palestine", Arafat would often claim to have been born in Jerusalem (sometime he would identify Gaza as his place of birth). The truth of the matter is that he was born in Cairo, Egypt. Even in his later years his accent and dialect was typical of Egyptians rather than "Palestinians".<ref>[http://www.aish.com/jw/me/48909857.html - Aish]</ref>
In 1933 Arafat’s mother died and he was sent to Jerusalem where he lived with his relatives until being called back into Cairo by his father in 1937. With the exception of the 1948 Israel’s independence war (where he fought against the Jews alongside the [[Muslim Brotherhood]], which he later joined in 1952<ref name="CBC">[http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/middleeast/arafat_timeline.html Arafat timeline - CBC]</ref>), Arafat continued to live in Egypt<ref name="The Making of a Palestinian">{{cite book |last=Aburish |first=Said K. |authorlink=Said K. Aburish |title=From Defender to Dictator |year=1998 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |pages=13–18 |location=New York |isbn=1-58234-049-8 }}</ref> until 1956 when he moved to Kuwait.<ref name="CBC" />
In 1933 Arafat's mother died and he was sent to Jerusalem where he lived with his relatives until being called back into Cairo by his father in 1937. With the exception of the 1948 Israel's independence war (where he fought against the Jews alongside the [[Muslim Brotherhood]], which he later joined in 1952<ref name="CBC">[http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/middleeast/arafat_timeline.html Arafat timeline - CBC]</ref>), Arafat continued to live in Egypt<ref name="The Making of a Palestinian">{{cite book |last=Aburish |first=Said K. |authorlink=Said K. Aburish |title=From Defender to Dictator |year=1998 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |pages=13–18 |location=New York |isbn=1-58234-049-8 }}</ref> until 1956 when he moved to Kuwait.<ref name="CBC" />
==Terrorist career==
==Terrorist career==
After 1973 [[Yom Kippur War]] the Arabs concluded that destruction of Israel cannot be achieved in one strike. As a result, the PLO under Arafat adopted in 1974 a political program called the phased strategy. The phased strategy called on the "Palestinians" to establish control over any part of "Palestine" (i.e. Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip) even if other parts of it remained under Israeli control, with the ultimate intention of taking over the entirety of "Palestine" (i.e. destroying the state of Israel)<ref name="Karsh">[http://www.meforum.org/605/arafats-grand-strategy Arafat’s Grand Strategy]</ref>
After 1973 [[Yom Kippur War]] the Arabs concluded that destruction of Israel cannot be achieved in one strike. As a result, the PLO under Arafat adopted in 1974 a political program called the phased strategy. The phased strategy called on the "Palestinians" to establish control over any part of "Palestine" (i.e. Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip) even if other parts of it remained under Israeli control, with the ultimate intention of taking over the entirety of "Palestine" (i.e. destroying the state of Israel)<ref name="Karsh">[http://www.meforum.org/605/arafats-grand-strategy Arafat’s Grand Strategy]</ref>
Approximately at the same time, Romania’s Communist president Nicolae Ceausescu taught Arafat how to pretend to be a moderate and against terrorism while simultaneously commissioning terrorist operations (to be committed by groups not publicly affiliated with Arafat) and working towards Israel’s destruction.<ref>[https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=178729 Musing on skillful salami-slices]</ref> Similar advice was also being given by the Vietnamese.<ref name="Bodansky">[http://www.acpr.org.il/publications/policy-papers/pp018-xs.html Arafat’s “Peace Process”]</ref>
Approximately at the same time, Romania's Communist president Nicolae Ceausescu taught Arafat how to pretend to be a moderate and against terrorism while simultaneously commissioning terrorist operations (to be committed by groups not publicly affiliated with Arafat) and working towards Israel's destruction.<ref>[https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=178729 Musing on skillful salami-slices]</ref> Similar advice was also being given by the Vietnamese.<ref name="Bodansky">[http://www.acpr.org.il/publications/policy-papers/pp018-xs.html Arafat’s “Peace Process”]</ref>
In a 1988 press conference in Geneva Arafat made statements renouncing terrorism and embracing Israel’s right to exist.<ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Foreign%20Relations/Israels%20Foreign%20Relations%20since%201947/1984-1988/419%20Statement%20by%20Yasser%20Arafat-%2014%20December%201988 Statement by Yasser Arafat, 14 December 1988]</ref> However, the statements he and other members of the "Palestinian" leadership made when speaking toward Arab and Muslim audiences were very different. In the very same year when Arafat supposedly accepted Israel’s right to exist, his deputy Salah Khalaf expressed his commitment to the phased strategy: "This is a state for the coming generations. At first, [the Palestinian state] would be small ... [But] God willing, it would expand eastward, westward, northward, and southward ... [True,] I [once] wanted all of Palestine all at once. But I was a fool. Yes, I am interested in the liberation of Palestine, but the question is how. And the answer is Step by step."<ref>[https://www.haaretz.com/news/arab-israeli-conflict-the-lesser-evil-1.6721 Arab-Israeli Conflict/The lesser evil - Haaretz]</ref> Until the end of his life, Arafat and his entourage played a game of doublespeak, expressing support for peace and coexistence when speaking to Israeli and western audiences while calling for terrorism and Israel’s destruction when speaking to Arabs and Muslims.<ref name="Karsh" />
In a 1988 press conference in Geneva Arafat made statements renouncing terrorism and embracing Israel's right to exist.<ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Foreign%20Relations/Israels%20Foreign%20Relations%20since%201947/1984-1988/419%20Statement%20by%20Yasser%20Arafat-%2014%20December%201988 Statement by Yasser Arafat, 14 December 1988]</ref> However, the statements he and other members of the "Palestinian" leadership made when speaking toward Arab and Muslim audiences were very different. In the very same year when Arafat supposedly accepted Israel's right to exist, his deputy Salah Khalaf expressed his commitment to the phased strategy: "This is a state for the coming generations. At first, [the Palestinian state] would be small ... [But] God willing, it would expand eastward, westward, northward, and southward ... [True,] I [once] wanted all of Palestine all at once. But I was a fool. Yes, I am interested in the liberation of Palestine, but the question is how. And the answer is Step by step."<ref>[https://www.haaretz.com/news/arab-israeli-conflict-the-lesser-evil-1.6721 Arab-Israeli Conflict/The lesser evil - Haaretz]</ref> Until the end of his life, Arafat and his entourage played a game of doublespeak, expressing support for peace and coexistence when speaking to Israeli and western audiences while calling for terrorism and Israel's destruction when speaking to Arabs and Muslims.<ref name="Karsh" />
While Arafat tried to present himself as a moderate, the actions of the PLO under his command said otherwise. In 1990 the Palestinian Liberation Front, a faction of the PLO, tried to launch a terrorist attack on Israel’s beaches.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/31/world/israel-reports-foiling-speedboat-attack-on-beach.html Israel Reports Foiling Speedboat Attack on Beach – New York Times]</ref> Arafat and the PLO leadership refused to condemn the attack or take action against the Palestinian Liberation Front.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/03/world/plo-rejects-us-demand-on-israel-raid.html?src=pm P.L.O. Rejects U.S. Demand on Israel Raid]</ref>
While Arafat tried to present himself as a moderate, the actions of the PLO under his command said otherwise. In 1990 the Palestinian Liberation Front, a faction of the PLO, tried to launch a terrorist attack on Israel's beaches.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/31/world/israel-reports-foiling-speedboat-attack-on-beach.html Israel Reports Foiling Speedboat Attack on Beach – New York Times]</ref> Arafat and the PLO leadership refused to condemn the attack or take action against the Palestinian Liberation Front.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/03/world/plo-rejects-us-demand-on-israel-raid.html?src=pm P.L.O. Rejects U.S. Demand on Israel Raid]</ref>
In what should have convinced everybody that the "Palestinian" terrorist hasn’t changed, Arafat gave his support for the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait.<ref>[http://articles.philly.com/1991-03-02/news/25789801_1_hawalli-plo-officials-palestine-liberation-organization Fearful Palestinians In Kuwait Criticize Arafat]</ref>
In what should have convinced everybody that the "Palestinian" terrorist hasn't changed, Arafat gave his support for the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait.<ref>[http://articles.philly.com/1991-03-02/news/25789801_1_hawalli-plo-officials-palestine-liberation-organization Fearful Palestinians In Kuwait Criticize Arafat]</ref>
==The Oslo Agreements==
==The Oslo Agreements==
[[File:Rabin, Clinton and Yasser Arafat.jpg|thumb|[[President Clinton]] with [[Yitzhak Rabin]] and Yassir Arafat on the South Lawn, September 13, 1993.]]
[[File:Rabin, Clinton and Yasser Arafat.jpg|thumb|[[President Clinton]] with [[Yitzhak Rabin]] and Yassir Arafat on the South Lawn, September 13, 1993.]]
The PLO lost much of its financial support after the fall of the Soviet Union and its allied governments in eastern Europe. Further compounding the problem was Arafat’s support of Saddam Hussein during the [[Gulf War]]; the remaining Arab governments withdrew their financial support from the PLO, diminishing its ability to yield dominance among the "Palestinians".<ref>[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/arafat.html Yasser Arafat – Jewish Virtual Library]</ref> Arafat was facing marginalization.
The PLO lost much of its financial support after the fall of the Soviet Union and its allied governments in eastern Europe. Further compounding the problem was Arafat's support of Saddam Hussein during the [[Gulf War]]; the remaining Arab governments withdrew their financial support from the PLO, diminishing its ability to yield dominance among the "Palestinians".<ref>[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/arafat.html Yasser Arafat – Jewish Virtual Library]</ref> Arafat was facing marginalization.
As a result, Arafat was willing to answer Israel’s peace offers and signed the Oslo accords in 1993 in order to rebuild his power by renewing relations with Israel and the United States. In the Oslo accords Arafat promised to refrain from terrorism; in return, a PLO-controlled Palestinian Authority was established as a governing body responsible for administering self-rule in the "Palestinian" territories and preventing terrorism through its police force.<ref>[http://www.cfr.org/israel/oslo-accords-declaration-principles-interim-self-government-arrangements/p9674 Oslo I Accords on Council on Foreign Affairs]</ref><ref>[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/dop.html Declaration of Principles On Interim Self-Government Arrangements]</ref> In 1994, in what would later turn out to be the most shameful moment in the Nobel Prize committee’s history, the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] was awarded to Arafat, [[Shimon Peres]] and [[Yitzhak Rabin]], "for their efforts to create peace in the Middle East," following negotiations leading to the [[Oslo Accords]] of 1993.<ref>[http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1994/ The Nobel Peace Prize 1994]</ref>
As a result, Arafat was willing to answer Israel's peace offers and signed the Oslo accords in 1993 in order to rebuild his power by renewing relations with Israel and the United States. In the Oslo accords Arafat promised to refrain from terrorism; in return, a PLO-controlled Palestinian Authority was established as a governing body responsible for administering self-rule in the "Palestinian" territories and preventing terrorism through its police force.<ref>[http://www.cfr.org/israel/oslo-accords-declaration-principles-interim-self-government-arrangements/p9674 Oslo I Accords on Council on Foreign Affairs]</ref><ref>[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/dop.html Declaration of Principles On Interim Self-Government Arrangements]</ref> In 1994, in what would later turn out to be the most shameful moment in the Nobel Prize committee's history, the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] was awarded to Arafat, [[Shimon Peres]] and [[Yitzhak Rabin]], "for their efforts to create peace in the Middle East," following negotiations leading to the [[Oslo Accords]] of 1993.<ref>[http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1994/ The Nobel Peace Prize 1994]</ref>
Evidence that Arafat would not abide his words of peace was immediately forthcoming. King Hussein of Jordan sent Israel a message saying "Israel is doing business with the worst possible person. Arafat has proved time and again that his word cannot be trusted."<ref>{{cite book |last=Karsh |first=Efraim |authorlink=Efraim Karsh |title=Arafat's War: The Man and His Battle for Israeli Conquest |year=2003 |publisher=New York: Grove Press |page=16 |location=New York |isbn=0-8021-1758-9}}</ref> At the same time that he was signing the Oslo accords, Arafat had a pre-recorded message broadcast on Arab TV saying that the agreement was actually an implantation of the phased strategy, i.e. destroying Israel in phases.<ref name="Karsh" /> Arafat once again showed that his real plan was to dupe Israel into giving him control over more and more territories until he could expand "Palestinian" rule to include all of Israel. Other "Palestinian" leaders, such as PLO official Faisal Husseini, outright declared that the "Palestinians"’ real goal was to destroy Israel.<ref>[http://www.aish.com/jw/me/48883602.html Faisal’s Trojan Horse]</ref> More evidence of Arafat’s real intention in signing the Oslo accords emerged after his death.<ref>[http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=28583 Al-Quds Al-Arabi Editor: Arafat Told Me Oslo Would be Israel's Curse]</ref>
Evidence that Arafat would not abide his words of peace was immediately forthcoming. King Hussein of Jordan sent Israel a message saying "Israel is doing business with the worst possible person. Arafat has proved time and again that his word cannot be trusted."<ref>{{cite book |last=Karsh |first=Efraim |authorlink=Efraim Karsh |title=Arafat's War: The Man and His Battle for Israeli Conquest |year=2003 |publisher=New York: Grove Press |page=16 |location=New York |isbn=0-8021-1758-9}}</ref> At the same time that he was signing the Oslo accords, Arafat had a pre-recorded message broadcast on Arab TV saying that the agreement was actually an implantation of the phased strategy, i.e. destroying Israel in phases.<ref name="Karsh" /> Arafat once again showed that his real plan was to dupe Israel into giving him control over more and more territories until he could expand "Palestinian" rule to include all of Israel. Other "Palestinian" leaders, such as PLO official Faisal Husseini, outright declared that the "Palestinians"’ real goal was to destroy Israel.<ref>[http://www.aish.com/jw/me/48883602.html Faisal’s Trojan Horse]</ref> More evidence of Arafat’s real intention in signing the Oslo accords emerged after his death.<ref>[http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=28583 Al-Quds Al-Arabi Editor: Arafat Told Me Oslo Would be Israel's Curse]</ref>
Arafat support for terrorism was not limited to words. His Palestinian Authority and its police forces not only did little to stop terrorist attacks against Israelis by other "Palestinian" factions such as [[Hamas]], but in 1997 Arafat gave Hamas and the [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]] a green light to continue terrorist attacks against Israel.<ref name="Kazhdan">[http://www.jcpa.org/brief/brief3-6.htm What Exactly Does Israel Have on Yasser Arafat – Eli Kazhdan]</ref>
Arafat support for terrorism was not limited to words. His Palestinian Authority and its police forces not only did little to stop terrorist attacks against Israelis by other "Palestinian" factions such as [[Hamas]], but in 1997 Arafat gave Hamas and the [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]] a green light to continue terrorist attacks against Israel.<ref name="Kazhdan">[http://www.jcpa.org/brief/brief3-6.htm What Exactly Does Israel Have on Yasser Arafat – Eli Kazhdan]</ref>
Arafat's own men also continued to be involved in terrorism. The "Palestinian" police force, which supposed to have no more than 24,000 police officers, grew to 40,000 men in 1998.<ref>[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/papolice.html Size of PA Police Force Exceeds Oslo Limits]</ref> In direct violations of the Oslo agreements, during the late 1990s the "Palestinian" police forces were relentlessly working on procuring and producing anti-tank weapons, anti-aircraft weapons, machine guns and hand grenades, clearly intended to be used in an upcoming confrontation with Israel.<ref>[http://www.likud.nl/extr07.html PLO's Continuing Military Buildup is Reason For Serious Concern – Likoed Nederland]</ref> In 1997, the commander of the "Palestinian" police Ghazi Jabali ordered police officers under in his command to carry attacks against Israelis. The same year Jabali proudly declared that more than 150 members of the terrorist groups Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine were employed by the "Palestinian" police. At least 25 of these men were wanted terrorists.<ref>[http://www.likud.nl/govern19.html Arafat Hires Hamas Killers - Likoed Nederland]</ref>
In addition to the "Palestinian" police, Arafat also created the Fatah-controlled Tanzim militia as part of his terrorist infrastructure.<ref name="Tanzim">[http://www.jcpa.org/art/brief1-16.htm Marwan Barghouti, Fatah-Tanzim, and the Escalation of the Intifada]</ref>
In addition to the "Palestinian" police, Arafat also created the Fatah-controlled Tanzim militia as part of his terrorist infrastructure.<ref name="Tanzim">[http://www.jcpa.org/art/brief1-16.htm Marwan Barghouti, Fatah-Tanzim, and the Escalation of the Intifada]</ref>
In addition to ordering his own men to engage in terrorist attacks, Arafat also instructed Hamas a to commit terrorist operations against Israel.<ref>[https://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?ID=189549&R=R1 Arafat ordered Hamas attacks against Israel in 2000]</ref> Arafat also tried to incite Arab residents of Israel to join his terroristic campaign.<ref>[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/inciteletter.html Arafat Letter Incites Israeli Arabs Against Israel]</ref>
In addition to ordering his own men to engage in terrorist attacks, Arafat also instructed Hamas a to commit terrorist operations against Israel.<ref>[https://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?ID=189549&R=R1 Arafat ordered Hamas attacks against Israel in 2000]</ref> Arafat also tried to incite Arab residents of Israel to join his terroristic campaign.<ref>[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/inciteletter.html Arafat Letter Incites Israeli Arabs Against Israel]</ref>
As a means to encourage suicide bombings Arafat offered money to the families of suicide bombers. In 2001, Arafat paid $2,000 to the family of a "Palestinian" [[homicide bomber]] who attacked the beach front Dolphinarium dance club in [[Tel Aviv]], [[kill]]ing 21 [[people]], mostly teenagers. More than 120 people were injured. Arafat sent the terrorist’s father a letter praising his son’s murderous act.<ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=40455 WorldNetDaily]</ref>
As a means to encourage suicide bombings Arafat offered money to the families of suicide bombers. In 2001, Arafat paid $2,000 to the family of a "Palestinian" [[homicide bomber]] who attacked the beach front Dolphinarium dance club in [[Tel Aviv]], [[kill]]ing 21 [[people]], mostly teenagers. More than 120 people were injured. Arafat sent the terrorist's father a letter praising his son's murderous act.<ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=40455 WorldNetDaily]</ref>
In January 2002 the Israeli navy intercepted Karine A, a weapon carrying ship intended for the Palestinian Authority. The boat included 50 tons of advanced weapons including Katyusha rockets, riles, mines and anti-tank missiles. An interrogation of the ship’s crew revealed that the purchaser of the weapons was an official in the Palestinian Authority. The missiles captured had a long range and could have reached Israel’s southern coastal cities.<ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2002/Seizing%20of%20the%20Palestinian%20weapons%20ship%20Karine%20A%20- Seizing of the Palestinian weapons ship Karine A]</ref>
In January 2002 the Israeli navy intercepted Karine A, a weapon carrying ship intended for the Palestinian Authority. The boat included 50 tons of advanced weapons including Katyusha rockets, riles, mines and anti-tank missiles. An interrogation of the ship's crew revealed that the purchaser of the weapons was an official in the Palestinian Authority. The missiles captured had a long range and could have reached Israel's southern coastal cities.<ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2002/Seizing%20of%20the%20Palestinian%20weapons%20ship%20Karine%20A%20- Seizing of the Palestinian weapons ship Karine A]</ref>
Eventually Israel took actions against Arafat and in April 2002 launched operation Defensive Shield, in which the [[IDF]] fought against the terrorist infrastructure in the West Bank. Arafat’s compound (the Mukataa) was raided. Arafat was confined to the compound until his hospitalization in 2004.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3685678,00.html Operation Defensive Shield - Ynet]</ref> "Palestinian" documents captured during the operation proved beyond doubt that Arafat was heavily involved in terrorism.<ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2002/5/The+Involvement+of+Arafat-+PA+Senior+Officials+and.htm The Involvement of Arafat, PA Senior Officials and Apparatuses in Terrorism against Israel, Corruption and Crime]</ref> Interrogations of captured terrorists yielded similar evidence.<ref>[http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1145961361493&pagename=JPArticle/ShowFull 'Arafat used aid to buy weapons' – Jerusalem Post]</ref><ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2002/5/Senior+Fatah+Leaders+Describe+Arafat-s+Link+to+Ter.htm Senior Fatah Leaders Describe Arafat's Link to Terrorism]</ref>
Eventually Israel took actions against Arafat and in April 2002 launched operation Defensive Shield, in which the [[IDF]] fought against the terrorist infrastructure in the West Bank. Arafat's compound (the Mukataa) was raided. Arafat was confined to the compound until his hospitalization in 2004.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3685678,00.html Operation Defensive Shield - Ynet]</ref> "Palestinian" documents captured during the operation proved beyond doubt that Arafat was heavily involved in terrorism.<ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2002/5/The+Involvement+of+Arafat-+PA+Senior+Officials+and.htm The Involvement of Arafat, PA Senior Officials and Apparatuses in Terrorism against Israel, Corruption and Crime]</ref> Interrogations of captured terrorists yielded similar evidence.<ref>[http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1145961361493&pagename=JPArticle/ShowFull 'Arafat used aid to buy weapons' – Jerusalem Post]</ref><ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2002/5/Senior+Fatah+Leaders+Describe+Arafat-s+Link+to+Ter.htm Senior Fatah Leaders Describe Arafat's Link to Terrorism]</ref>
While the Israeli siege on the Mukataa continued, Arafat was still continuing his involvement in terrorism. On September the head of the Israeli military intelligence revealed that orders for terrorist attacks were still being given from Arafat’s compound.<ref name=" Kazhdan" />
While the Israeli siege on the Mukataa continued, Arafat was still continuing his involvement in terrorism. On September the head of the Israeli military intelligence revealed that orders for terrorist attacks were still being given from Arafat's compound.<ref name=" Kazhdan" />
==Death==
==Death==
Arafat remained single until marrying Suha Arafat (born Suha Tawil) in 1990, when he was 61. During most of their marriage, Arafat lived separately from Suha and their (supposedly) shared daughter Zahwa.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3965541.stm Suah Arafat - BBC]</ref><ref>[http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,781566,00.html A Life in Retrospect: Yasser Arafat – Time magazine]</ref>
Arafat remained single until marrying Suha Arafat (born Suha Tawil) in 1990, when he was 61. During most of their marriage, Arafat lived separately from Suha and their (supposedly) shared daughter Zahwa.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3965541.stm Suah Arafat - BBC]</ref><ref>[http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,781566,00.html A Life in Retrospect: Yasser Arafat – Time magazine]</ref>
His marriage to Suha might have been a cover to hide his true sexual leanings. Ion Mihai Pacepa, former head of the Romanian intelligence, has written that Arafat started to have sex with other men already as a teenager.<ref>[http://www.betar.co.uk/articles/betar1064312492.php Outing Arafat – Joseph Farah]</ref> Former [[Democrat Party]] chairman [[Terry McAuliffe]] has also said that during a 2000 dinner in Washington Arafat repeatedly rubbed his leg under the table.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/06/us/politics/06mcauliffe.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin Goal Is to Look Good, Writer of Democratic Memoir Admits]</ref> According to former [[National Security Agency]] analyst James J. Welsh, some of Arafat’s homosexual liaisons were with boys as young as 13.<ref name="AIDS" />
His marriage to Suha might have been a cover to hide his true sexual leanings. Ion Mihai Pacepa, former head of the Romanian intelligence, has written that Arafat started to have sex with other men already as a teenager.<ref>[http://www.betar.co.uk/articles/betar1064312492.php Outing Arafat – Joseph Farah]</ref> Former [[Democrat Party]] chairman [[Terry McAuliffe]] has also said that during a 2000 dinner in Washington Arafat repeatedly rubbed his leg under the table.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/06/us/politics/06mcauliffe.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin Goal Is to Look Good, Writer of Democratic Memoir Admits]</ref> According to former [[National Security Agency]] analyst James J. Welsh, some of Arafat's homosexual liaisons were with boys as young as 13.<ref name="AIDS" />
These allegations, along with the fact Arafat spent most of his time apart from his wife, raise serious questions about the parentage of his supposed daughter.
These allegations, along with the fact Arafat spent most of his time apart from his wife, raise serious questions about the parentage of his supposed daughter.
== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.honestreporting.com/articles/45884734/critiques/Yassir_Arafat_1929-2004.asp Yassir Arafat:1929-2004] 'HonestReporting'
* [http://www.honestreporting.com/articles/45884734/critiques/Yassir_Arafat_1929-2004.asp Yassir Arafat:1929-2004] 'HonestReporting'
* [http://lexicorient.com/e.o/arafat.htm Yassir Arafat] Encyclopaedia of the Orient.
* [http://lexicorient.com/e.o/arafat.htm Yassir Arafat] Encyclopedia of the Orient.
== References ==
== References ==