Visit to Revolutionary Iran
Arafat visits Tehran soon after the Iranian Revolution and meets the new Iranian leadership while seeking broader political support for the Palestinian cause.
Role range: 1969-2004
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Yasser Arafat Biography and Timeline — Page 2
Follow Yasser Arafat through 203 dated historical records for Palestine.
Yasser Arafat, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
203Distinct records
2 of 6Page
1979–1991Years on this page
1979
PLO Mission Opens in Tehran
Arafat attends the opening of a PLO diplomatic mission in the former Israeli embassy, symbolizing Iran's new alignment with the Palestinian movement.
Role range: 1969-2004
1981
Bombing of Beirut
Israeli bombers destroy PLO/al-Fatah headquarters in Beirut
Israel-PLO Lebanon Ceasefire
Arafat accepts a United States-brokered ceasefire intended to halt cross-border fighting between Israel and PLO forces based in Lebanon.
Role range: 1969-2004
1982
Siege of West Beirut
Arafat directs the PLO during the Israeli siege of West Beirut as negotiations begin over the evacuation of Palestinian fighters from Lebanon.
Role range: 1969-2004
PLO Evacuation from Beirut Begins
The organized evacuation of PLO fighters from Beirut begins under an internationally supervised agreement while Arafat remains in the besieged city.
Role range: 1969-2004
Departure from Beirut
Arafat leaves Beirut by sea after the prolonged Israeli siege, ending the PLO's principal military and political base in Lebanon.
Role range: 1969-2004
PLO Headquarters Established in Tunis
Arafat establishes the PLO's principal headquarters in Tunis after the organization's evacuation from Beirut.
Role range: 1969-2004
1983
Fatah Leadership Rebellion
Arafat faces an internal Fatah rebellion backed by Syria, creating a major challenge to his authority within the Palestinian movement.
Role range: 1969-2004
Tripoli Siege
Arafat and loyal PLO forces are besieged in Tripoli by Syrian-backed Palestinian factions during a bitter internal struggle.
Role range: 1969-2004
Evacuation from Tripoli
Arafat and thousands of loyal fighters leave Tripoli aboard ships protected by French naval vessels after weeks of fighting.
Role range: 1969-2004
Meeting with Hosni Mubarak
Arafat meets Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak shortly after leaving Tripoli, reopening an important political channel with Egypt.
Role range: 1969-2004
1985
Israeli Airstrike on Tunis Headquarters
Arafat survives an Israeli airstrike against the PLO headquarters near Tunis that kills numerous Palestinians and Tunisians.
Role range: 1969-2004
1986
Jordan-PLO Negotiations Collapse
Political negotiations between Arafat and King Hussein break down over competing approaches to a possible peace settlement with Israel.
Role range: 1969-2004
1987
Palestine National Council Unity Session
Arafat presides over a Palestine National Council session that restores cooperation among several Palestinian factions after years of division.
Role range: 1969-2004
Intifada, 1st
Moves to keep the PLO politically central as the uprising spreads in occupied territories.
Role range: 1987-1993 – 1969-2004
Intifada, 1st
Arafat supports the uprising from exile and seeks to keep the PLO central to Palestinian politics during the First Intifada.
Rule of Gaza
Conflicts erupt between Palestinians and the Israeli authorities, the most serious is the First Intifada in 1987 and Gaza becomes a centre of confrontation
1988
Assassination of Abu Jihad
Arafat loses senior PLO commander Khalil al-Wazir, known as Abu Jihad, after an Israeli commando operation kills him at his Tunis home.
Role range: 1987-1993 – 1969-2004
Jordan Disengages from West Bank
Arafat gains greater diplomatic responsibility for Palestinian representation after Jordan renounces its administrative and legal claims to the West Bank.
Role range: 1987-1993 – 1969-2004
Palestinian Declaration of Independence
Proclaims Palestinian independence and accepts a diplomatic course during the First Intifada.
Role range: 1969-2004
Declaration of Independence
The independent state of Palestine is declared
Role range: 1969-2004
Independence of Palestine
The independent state of Palestine is declared
Role range: 1969-2004
United States Visa Denied
The United States denies Arafat a visa to address the United Nations in New York, prompting the General Assembly debate to move to Geneva.
Role range: 1969-2004
UN Address
Addresses the United Nations after the PLO declares acceptance of resolutions 242 and 338.
Role range: 1969-2004
Independence of Palestine
Arafat makes a speech in the United Nations recognising Israel & renouncing terrorism
Geneva United Nations Address
Arafat addresses the United Nations in Geneva and presents a diplomatic program based on Palestinian statehood and Security Council resolutions.
Role range: 1987-1993 – 1969-2004
PLO Renounces Terrorism
Arafat publicly renounces terrorism and clarifies PLO acceptance of Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, enabling new diplomatic contacts.
Role range: 1987-1993 – 1969-2004
Arafat renounces terrorism
Arafat renounces terrorism
Role range: 1969-2004
Terrorism
Arafat renounces terrorism
Role range: 1969-2004
1989
Elected President of State of Palestine
The PLO Central Council elects Arafat President of the proclaimed State of Palestine, adding a state title to his existing leadership roles.
Role range: 1969-2004
1990
Rishon LeZion Killings Condemned
Arafat condemns the killing of Palestinian laborers near Rishon LeZion as the incident triggers renewed protests across the occupied territories.
Role range: 1987-1993 – 1969-2004
Marriage
Yasser Arafat marries Suha At-Taweel
Role range: 1969-2004
Iraq-Kuwait Crisis Diplomacy
Arafat pursues diplomacy with Saddam Hussein during the Kuwait crisis while the PLO's position strains relations with several Arab governments.
Role range: 1969-2004
Intifada, 1st
The Temple Mount Haram al Sharif killings intensify anger during the First Intifada
Role range: 1987-1993
Temple Mount Killings
Condemns the Temple Mount Haram al Sharif killings as the uprising intensifies.
Role range: 1987-1993 – 1969-2004
Recognition of the State of Israel
The PLO formally recognizes the State of Israel
Role range: 1969-2004
1991
Palestinian Madrid Delegation Authorized
Arafat authorizes Palestinian representatives to participate in the Madrid peace process despite his own exclusion from the formal delegation.
Role range: 1969-2004
Conference of Madrid
After an Arabi peace conference the PLO & Israel begin secret peace negotiations
Role range: 1969-2004
Invasion of Lebanon
The Lebanese army, backed by Syria, forces the PLO to abandon its strongholds in southern Lebanon
Role range: 1969-2004
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.