Hebron Redeployment
The Palestinian Authority assumes control over most of Hebron after the redeployment agreement
Role range: 1996-2004
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Yasser Arafat Biography and Timeline — Page 5
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
5 of 6Page
1997–2004Years on this page
1997
White House Peace Process Meeting
Arafat meets President Clinton in Washington as the United States attempts to sustain Israeli-Palestinian negotiations after implementation disputes.
Role range: 1994-2004
Rule of Hebron
Israeli troops withdraw from Hebron
Role range: 1969-2004
1998
Wye River Memorandum
Signs the Wye River Memorandum with Netanyahu.
Role range: 1994-2004
Gaza International Airport Opening
Arafat presides over the opening of Gaza International Airport, presenting the facility as an important symbol of Palestinian self-government and mobility.
Role range: 1994-2004
Palestinian Charter Reaffirmation
Arafat convenes Palestinian political bodies during President Clinton's Gaza visit to reaffirm the removal of charter provisions conflicting with recognition of Israel.
Role range: 1969-2004
Security Cooperation
The Wye River Memorandum emphasises Palestinian action against militant groups and continued security coordination
Role range: 1996-2004
1999
Statehood Declaration Postponed
Arafat postpones a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood at the end of the Oslo interim period after sustained international diplomatic pressure.
Role range: 1994-2004
First Summit with Ehud Barak
Arafat meets newly elected Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak as both leaders discuss reviving delayed implementation of the peace agreements.
Role range: 1994-2004
Sharm el Sheikh Memorandum
Signs a memorandum intended to revive Oslo implementation.
Role range: 1994-2004
Independence of Palestine
Arafat & Barak sign an agreement finalizing the Israeli border with Palestine
Role range: 1969-2004
Rule of Jerusalem
Arafat & Barak sign an agreement finalizing the status of Jerusalem by 2000
Role range: 1969-2004
Independence of Palestine
Arafat threatens to establish an independent Palestinian state unilaterally in May & September
Role range: 1996-2004
Permanent Status Talks
Arafat seeks progress on Jerusalem refugees borders and settlements as permanent status issues
Role range: 1996-2004
2000
Meeting with Pope John Paul II
Arafat meets Pope John Paul II during the pontiff's visit to Bethlehem and discusses Palestinian aspirations, Jerusalem and prospects for peace.
Role range: 1994-2004
Camp David Summit
Attends final-status talks with Ehud Barak and President Clinton.
Role range: 1994-2004
Bombing of Israel
An outbreak of prolonged Palestinian violence against Israel
Role range: 1996-2004
Sharm el-Sheikh Emergency Summit
Arafat attends an emergency summit with regional and international leaders seeking to halt the rapidly escalating Israeli-Palestinian violence.
Role range: 2000-2005 – 1994-2004
Clinton Parameters Consultations
Arafat considers the Clinton Parameters as the United States makes a final effort to bridge Israeli-Palestinian differences over permanent-status issues.
Role range: 1994-2004
2001
Taba Negotiations Authorized
Arafat authorizes Palestinian negotiators to enter intensive talks with Israel at Taba in an attempt to narrow remaining final-status disagreements.
Role range: 1994-2004
Mitchell Recommendations Accepted
Arafat accepts the Mitchell Committee recommendations as a framework for ending violence, rebuilding confidence and returning to negotiations.
Role range: 1994-2004
Tenet Security Plan Accepted
Arafat accepts the Tenet security work plan, which calls for a ceasefire, renewed coordination and measures against armed attacks.
Role range: 1994-2004
Blood Donation after September 11 Attacks
Arafat publicly donates blood for victims of the September 11 attacks and condemns the attacks in the United States.
Role range: 1994-2004
Ceasefire Declaration
Arafat declares a ceasefire and calls for enforcement of the truce as international pressure increases after months of sustained violence.
Role range: 2000-2005 – 1994-2004
Muqata Siege
Faces mounting Israeli pressure and restrictions during the Second Intifada.
Role range: 2000-2005 – 1994-2004
Intifada, 2nd
Arafat faces Israeli pressure and internal Palestinian demands during the Second Intifada
Role range: 2000-2005
2002
Karine A Interception
Arafat faces intense international scrutiny after Israel intercepts the Karine A carrying a large shipment of weapons destined for Palestinian-controlled territory.
Role range: 2000-2005 – 1994-2004
Operation Defensive Shield
Is confined in his Ramallah compound during Israel's West Bank operation.
Role range: 2000-2005 – 1994-2004
Ramallah Compound Encirclement
Arafat remains confined inside his Ramallah headquarters as Israeli forces intensify Operation Defensive Shield around the Palestinian Authority compound.
Role range: 2000-2005 – 1994-2004
Intifada, 2nd
Israeli forces besiege Arafat's compound in Ramallah during Operation Defensive Shield
Role range: 2000-2005
Church of Nativity Siege Begins
Arafat's administration faces another major crisis as armed Palestinians and civilians take refuge inside Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity during Israeli operations.
Role range: 2000-2005 – 1994-2004
Church of Nativity Siege Settlement
The Church of the Nativity standoff ends through a negotiated arrangement that sends some Palestinian militants abroad and others to Gaza.
Role range: 2000-2005 – 1994-2004
Palestinian Authority Reform Speech
Arafat addresses the Palestinian Legislative Council and promises political and administrative reforms after intense domestic and international pressure.
Role range: 1994-2004
Palestinian Basic Law Promulgated
Arafat promulgates the Palestinian Basic Law, giving the Palestinian Authority a more formal constitutional framework for governance.
Role range: 1994-2004
Second Muqata Siege
Israeli forces again surround and damage Arafat's Muqata headquarters while demanding the surrender of militants sheltering inside the compound.
Role range: 2000-2005 – 1994-2004
2003
Mahmoud Abbas Nominated Prime Minister
Arafat nominates Mahmoud Abbas to become the first Palestinian prime minister after political reforms create the new office.
Role range: 1994-2004
Mahmoud Abbas Cabinet Sworn In
Arafat swears in Mahmoud Abbas's cabinet as the Palestinian Authority adopts a new division of executive responsibilities.
Role range: 1994-2004
Constitution of Palestine
The office of Prime Minister is created by Parliament to curb Arafats authority
Role range: 1969-2004
2004
Health of Yasser Arafat
Flown to hospital for testing & treatment
Role range: 1969-2004
Death of Yasser Arafat
Death of Yasser Arafat
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.