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. Yet, his legacy is marred by enduring controversy over his role in terrorism, alleged corruption, and the ultimate failure to secure a final, lasting peace settlement. Discover the revolutionary, the politician, and the survivor who indelibly shaped the Middle East conflict.