Yasser Arafat Biography

Birth of Yasser Arafat

Founds Al-Fatah

The PLO is founded by the Arab League with the aim of overthrowing the state of Israel

The PLO is founded by the Arab League with the aim of overthrowing the state of Israel. 28 May-2 June, the PLO is founded by a combination of Arab states

The PLO fedayeen repels an Israeli attack on the PLOs Jordanian bases

Appointed President of the PLO

King Hussein of Jordan bombs guerrilla PLO camps on the Israeli border

Expelled from Jordan, takes up residence in Lebanon

Jordan & the PLO enter a short bloody war with Israel

Appointed Commander in Chief of the Palestine Revolutionary Forces

The PLO blow up fuel storage tanks in Rotterdam

The PLO closes Black September down in the fall of 1973

An Arab League summit call the PLO as "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people"

An Arab League summit call the PLO as "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people"

Syria invades Lebanon, attacking the Muslim-PLO forces

Syria invades Lebanon, attacking the Muslim-PLO forces

Formation of a solidarity front between Algeria, Libya, Southern Yemen & the PLO

Formation of a solidarity front between Algeria, Libya, Southern Yemen & the PLO

South Yemen joins Algeria, Libya, Syria and the PLO.

Participates in formation of an Arab front opposing Egyptian policy.

Israel invades Lebanon in order to expel the PLO

Withdraws Palestinian forces from a buffer zone between Israel & the Litani River

Withdraws Palestinian forces from a buffer zone between Israel & the Litani River

Israeli bombers destroy PLO/al-Fatah headquarters in Beirut

Conflicts erupt between Palestinians and the Israeli authorities, the most serious is the First Intifada in 1987 and Gaza becomes a centre of confrontation

Moves to keep the PLO politically central as the uprising spreads in occupied territories.

Arafat supports the uprising from exile and seeks to keep the PLO central to Palestinian politics during the First Intifada.

Arafat renounces terrorism

Arafat renounces terrorism

The independent state of Palestine is declared

The independent state of Palestine is declared

Proclaims Palestinian independence and accepts a diplomatic course during the First Intifada.

Arafat recognises Israel's right to exist and accepts United Nations resolutions during diplomatic moves linked to the uprising

Arafat makes a speech in the United Nations recognising Israel & renouncing terrorism

Addresses the United Nations after the PLO declares acceptance of resolutions 242 and 338.

The PLO attempts to maintain leadership over the uprising from exile

The PLO formally recognizes the State of Israel

Yasser Arafat marries Suha At-Taweel

The Temple Mount Haram al Sharif killings intensify anger during the First Intifada

Condemns the Temple Mount Haram al Sharif killings as the uprising intensifies.

After an Arabi peace conference the PLO & Israel begin secret peace negotiations

The Lebanese army, backed by Syria, forces the PLO to abandon its strongholds in southern Lebanon

After an Arabi peace conference the PLO & Israel begin secret peace negotiations

The Lebanese army, backed by Syria, forces the PLO to abandon its strongholds in southern Lebanon

Survives an aircrash in the Sahara

Arafat approves the PLO negotiating track that produces mutual recognition with Israel

Under the Declaration of Principles the PLO recognizes the state of Israel. The Declaration of Principles backs Palestinian limited self-Government in the Gaza Strip. Arafat & Rabin conclude an agreement, known as the Declaration of Principles (DOP)

The Declaration of Principles backs Palestinian limited self-Government in the West Bank. The Declaration of Principles backs Palestinian limited self-Government in the Gaza Strip

Israel & the PLO agreed to the creation of the interim Palestinian National Authority

The Declaration of Principles backs Palestinian limited self-Government in the Gaza Strip

The Declaration of Principles backs Palestinian limited self-Government in the West Bank

In order that the Palestinians should govern themselves according to democratic principles, free and general political elections would be held for the Council

The Israeli Government recognizes the PLO as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people while the PLO recognizes the right of the state of Israel to exist and renounces terrorism.

The Oslo Accords call for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of the Gaza Strip and West Bank and affirm the Palestinian right to self-Government within those areas through the creation of the Palestinian Authori.

Yasser Arafat & Yitzhak Rabin sign the Oslo Accords.

In order that the Palestinians should govern themselves according to democratic principles, free and general political elections would be held for the Council

The Oslo Accords call for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of the Gaza Strip and West Bank and affirm the Palestinian right to self-Government within those areas through the creation of the Palestinian Authori

The Oslo Accords call for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of the Gaza Strip and West Bank and affirm the Palestinian right to self-Government within those areas through the creation of the Palestinian Authority. Leaders of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) signed the Oslo Accords calling for Palestinian administration of the Gaza Strip, implemented in May 1994

The Oslo Accords call for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of the Gaza Strip and West Bank and affirm the Palestinian right to self-Government within those areas through the creation of the Palestinian Authori

Arafat signs the Declaration of Principles with Israel in Washington

Attends the White House ceremony and accepts the Declaration of Principles as the framework for Palestinian interim self-government.

The PLO accepts Gaza and Jericho as the first areas for Palestinian self rule under the Oslo process

Arafat signs the Declaration of Principles in Washington, helping close the main phase of the First Intifada.

Shakes hands with Rabin after signing the Declaration of Principles.

Accepts the Oslo framework under which an interim Palestinian Authority will administer parts of the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

The Oslo framework anticipates an elected Palestinian council and an interim self governing authority

Arafat shakes hands with Rabin in a public symbol of the new peace process

The PNA police kill 12 Palestinians protesting against further negotiations with Israel

For efforts in trying to create peace in the Middle East

Arafat faces Palestinian anger after the Hebron massacre while continuing negotiations with Israel

Israel & the PLO sign a deal on Palestinian self-rule in Jericho & the Gaza Strip

Signs the Gaza-Jericho self-rule accord with Rabin, setting out the first transfer of authority to Palestinian administration.

The Palestinian National Authority is created to administer areas handed over to Palestinian rule

The Palestinian National Authority is created to administer areas handed over to Palestinian rule. Israel & the PLO sign a deal on Palestinian self-rule in Jericho & the Gaza Strip

Israel & the PLO sign a deal on Palestinian self-rule in Jericho & the Gaza Strip

The Israelis complete their withdrawal from the Gaza Strip

Arafat returns to Gaza after the Oslo process and begins building the Palestinian Authority

Arafat returns to Gaza and begins building the Palestinian Authority

The Palestinian Authority begins exercising limited self rule in Jericho under Oslo arrangements

Returns to Gaza after exile and convenes Palestinian Authority members as the new self-rule administration begins operating.

Returns to Gaza after the Oslo process to lead the new Palestinian Authority.

Arrives in Jericho as the Palestinian Authority extends its initial self-rule presence beyond Gaza.

Israel & the PLO sign agreements to prop up the Palestinian National Authority

Arafats police fire on Islamic extremists prompting clashes in Gaza City, 14 dead

Arafats police fire on Islamic extremists prompting clashes in Gaza City, 14 dead

Palestinian Authority responsibilities expand in major West Bank cities under Oslo Two

Palestinian civil powers expand in Area B while Israel retains overriding security authority

Israel and the PLO sign a second peace agreement, establishinng an elected 88-member Palestinian National Council, which holds its inaugural session in Gaza in March 1996

Israel and the PLO sign a second peace agreement, establishinng an elected 88-member Palestinian National Council, which holds its inaugural session in Gaza in March 1996. An agreement calls for self-rule for all Arab cities and villages in the West Bank

Oslo Two provides for elections to a Palestinian Council during the interim period

The PNA, led by Yasser Arafat, chosee Gaza as its first provincial headquarters. Israel and the PLO sign a second peace agreement extending the Palestinian Authority to most West Bank towns

Israel and the PLO sign a second peace agreement, establishinng an elected 88-member Palestinian National Council, which holds its inaugural session in Gaza in March 1996

Israel and the PLO sign a second peace agreement, establishinng an elected 88-member Palestinian National Council, which holds its inaugural session in Gaza in March 1996

The PNA, led by Yasser Arafat, chosee Gaza as its first provincial headquarters

Signs the Interim Agreement expanding Palestinian Authority responsibilities.

Signs the Interim Agreement, expanding Palestinian Authority responsibilities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Arafat signs the Interim Agreement expanding the Oslo framework

Signs the Interim Agreement expanding Palestinian Authority powers and responsibilities in populated West Bank areas.

Arafat condemns Rabin's assassination and continues dealing with the Israeli government

Bombing of Israeli buses

Israel and the PLO sign a second peace agreement, establishinng an elected 88-member Palestinian National Council, which holds its inaugural session in Gaza in March 1996

An 88-member legislative body, the Palestinian Legislative Council, is elected

Wins the first Palestinian presidential election.

Elected President of the Palestine Authority

Wins the first Palestinian Authority presidential election as voters also choose the Palestinian Legislative Council.

Palestinians vote for the Palestinian Authority presidency and council under Oslo arrangements

Arafat is elected President of the Palestinian Authority in elections provided for by the Oslo framework

Appointed President of the Palestine Authority

Yasser Arafat returns to Gaza after 27 years

Palestinian protests and clashes create one of the first major security crises after Oslo Two

Israeli troops withdraw from Hebron

The Palestinian Authority assumes control over most of Hebron after the redeployment agreement

Approves the Hebron redeployment agreement with Netanyahu after US mediation.

Signs the Hebron Protocol with Netanyahu after US mediation.

The Wye River Memorandum emphasises Palestinian action against militant groups and continued security coordination

Signs the Wye River Memorandum with Netanyahu.

Arafat & Barak sign an agreement finalizing the Israeli border with Palestine

Arafat threatens to establish an independent Palestinian state unilaterally in May & September

Arafat seeks progress on Jerusalem refugees borders and settlements as permanent status issues

Arafat & Barak sign an agreement finalizing the status of Jerusalem by 2000

Signs a memorandum intended to revive Oslo implementation.

Attends final-status talks with Ehud Barak and President Clinton.

An outbreak of prolonged Palestinian violence against Israel

Arafat faces Israeli pressure and internal Palestinian demands during the Second Intifada

Arafat faces Israeli pressure and internal Palestinian demands during the Second Intifada

Faces mounting Israeli pressure and restrictions during the Second Intifada.

Israeli forces besiege Arafat's compound in Ramallah during Operation Defensive Shield

Israeli forces besiege Arafat's compound in Ramallah during Operation Defensive Shield

Is confined in his Ramallah compound during Israel's West Bank operation.

The office of Prime Minister is created by Parliament to curb Arafats authority

Flown to hospital for testing & treatment

Death of Yasser Arafat

Dies after years of siege and declining authority during the Second Intifada.

Death of Yasser Arafat

Arafat dies after years of confinement and pressure during the Second Intifada

Arafat dies after years of confinement and pressure during the Second Intifada