Yasser Arafat Quotes

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About Yasser Arafat

Yasser Arafat (Mohammed Yasser Abdel Rahman Abdel Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini), born on August 4, 1929, in Cairo, Egypt, was a Palestinian politician, military leader, and one of the founding fathers of the modern Palestinian national movement. He served as the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from 1969 until his death in 2004. Arafat's family hailed from Jerusalem but were exiled during the 1917 British Mandate. Raised in a politically active household, Arafat was influenced by the Arab nationalist movement and anti-colonial struggles worldwide. He joined Fatah, the largest faction within the PLO, in its inception in 1959. Arafat led various military operations against Israel, resulting in his exile to Jordan in 1967, where he established the PLO's political headquarters. In 1982, he was expelled from Lebanon and set up base in Tunisia. During this time, Arafat played a significant role in negotiating the Oslo Accords with Israel in 1993, for which he shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres. Despite the Oslo Accords, peace talks between the PLO and Israel stalled, and Arafat faced internal criticism and external pressure. In 2000, he returned to the West Bank following a meeting with then-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, but renewed violence erupted in what became known as the Second Intifada. Arafat died under mysterious circumstances in a French military hospital on November 11, 2004, due to a sudden illness. His legacy remains controversial, with some viewing him as a symbol of Palestinian nationalism and others criticizing his leadership style and peace efforts. Quotes attributed to Arafat often reflect his unwavering belief in the Palestinian cause: "We shall not rest until the last foreign soldier leaves the lands of Palestine" and "Peace will take root in the hearts and minds of men when justice prevails."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Peace is the only road to prosperity."

Yasser Arafat's quote, "Peace is the only road to prosperity," emphasizes that lasting peace between nations or communities is essential for achieving sustainable economic growth, development, and overall prosperity. This profound statement suggests that the pursuit of mutual understanding, cooperation, and resolution of conflicts through dialogue rather than violence can foster an environment conducive to progress. In other words, peace paves the way to a more prosperous future where resources are not wasted on war or destruction but channeled towards constructive purposes such as education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and technological advancement.


"We aim for peace, and we work for peace, but we shall defend ourselves against any aggression."

Yasser Arafat's quote underscores a firm commitment to pursuing peace while simultaneously maintaining the right to self-defense. This statement suggests that Palestinians are actively working towards achieving peace, yet they stand ready to protect themselves if their territory is threatened or attacked. The quote reflects the complexities of the Palestinian struggle, where pursuit of peace and self-defense often coexist as essential strategies in pursuit of a just resolution to the conflict.


"I am ready to die for Palestine, but I hope it does not come to that."

This quote by Yasser Arafat reflects a deep emotional and political commitment towards Palestine. He is expressing his willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice for his homeland, yet simultaneously hoping that such an extreme measure will not be necessary. This dual sentiment encapsulates the complex nature of the Palestinian struggle: a fierce determination combined with a heartfelt desire for peace and resolution.


"The future of the Middle East lies in our hands, and if we want a better future, we must take risks."

This quote by Yasser Arafat emphasizes that the destiny of the Middle East rests upon its inhabitants. He suggests that if they desire a brighter future, they must be willing to take calculated risks. It underscores the idea that change can only come when individuals and communities are prepared to step outside their comfort zones for the greater good.


"Let us begin today a new era of dialogue between us, let us bridge the gap of years, let us reach out for peace and a brighter future for all our children."

This quote by Yasser Arafat expresses his desire to move forward from past conflicts, emphasizing on establishing a new phase of dialogue between parties. He calls for reconciliation, healing old wounds, and focusing on creating a peaceful and prosperous future for the next generation. In essence, it's a call to unity and understanding, with an emphasis on the potential benefits that can come from cooperation and mutual respect.


We plan to eliminate the state of Israel and establish a purely Palestinian state. We will make life unbearable for Jews by psychological warfare and population explosion. We Palestinians will take over everything, including all of Jerusalem.

- Yasser Arafat

Over, Purely, Psychological, Palestinian

The victory march will continue until the Palestinian flag flies in Jerusalem and in all of Palestine.

- Yasser Arafat

Flag, Flies, Palestine, Palestinian

The Palestinian Rifle is ready and we will aim it if they try to prevent us from praying in Jerusalem.

- Yasser Arafat

Aim, Jerusalem, Prevent, Palestinian

We started the peace process on the basis of land for peace and on the basis of U.N. resolution 242 and 338,1 as well as other international decisions on achieving the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

- Yasser Arafat

Process, Other, Started, Palestinian

It's always convenient for certain people to heap accusations on Israel.

- Yasser Arafat

Always, Israel, Heap, Convenient

As long as we have decided to coexist in peace, we must do so on a firm basis that will withstand time and for generations.

- Yasser Arafat

Decided, Withstand, Firm, Coexist

How can I shave in the midst of guerrilla warfare? On battlefields, we have no facilities for shaving, and that was why I first grew my beard.

- Yasser Arafat

Beard, Why, Guerrilla, Shaving

I assure you, Ladies and Gentlemen, that we shall discover ourselves in peace more than we have with war and confrontation, as I am sure that the Israelis, in turn shall find themselves in peace more than they have found it in war.

- Yasser Arafat

Discover, More, Sure, Ladies

Palestine is the cement that holds the Arab world together, or it is the explosive that blows it apart.

- Yasser Arafat

World, Palestine, Explosive, Cement

Our law is a Jordanian law that we inherited, which applies to both the West Bank and Gaza, and sets the death penalty for those who sell land to Israelis.

- Yasser Arafat

Law, Death Penalty, Which, Gaza

The Palestinians, whose national cause guards the gates of Arab-Israeli peace, look forward like their Arab brethren to that comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on 'land for peace' and compliance with international legitimacy and resolutions.

- Yasser Arafat

Forward, Like, Based, Guards

The Arabs are looking forward to developing their region, which the long years of war had prevented from finding its true place in today's world, in an atmosphere of democracy, pluralism, and prosperity.

- Yasser Arafat

Atmosphere, Which, Pluralism, Arabs

Whoever thinks of stopping the uprising before it achieves its goals, I will give him ten bullets in the chest.

- Yasser Arafat

Give, Before, Chest, Goals

I call on Russia and the United States of America, the cosponsors of the peace conference, to help the peace process take bigger steps by contributing to the process and helping to overcome all obstacles.

- Yasser Arafat

Process, United States, Peace Process

Whoever stands by a just cause cannot possibly be called a terrorist.

- Yasser Arafat

Cause, Stands, Whoever, Possibly

I call on all the countries of the world, especially the donor countries, to speed up their contributions so that the Palestinian people may overcome their economic and social problems and proceed with reconstruction and the rebuilding of infrastructures.

- Yasser Arafat

Speed, Palestinian People, Donor

Confidence alone does not make peace, but acknowledging rights and confidence do. Failure to recognize these rights creates a sense of injustice; it keeps the embers burning under the ashes.

- Yasser Arafat

Confidence, Injustice, Ashes, Acknowledging

We totally and absolutely renounce all forms of terrorism.

- Yasser Arafat

Terrorism, Absolutely, Forms

I would like to congratulate my partners in peace - Mr. Yitzhak Rabin, the Prime Minister of Israel, and Mr. Shimon Peres, the Israeli Foreign Minister - on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

- Yasser Arafat

Prime, Nobel Peace Prize, Congratulate

Peace, for us, is an asset and in our interest. It is an absolute human asset that allows an individual to freely develop his individuality unbound by any regional, religious, or ethnic fetters.

- Yasser Arafat

Ethnic, Religious, Regional, Freely

I come bearing an olive branch in one hand, and the freedom fighter's gun in the other. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand.

- Yasser Arafat

Gun, Other, Bearing, Olive

Though I am not a chief of state, I must work twice as hard as one because I have to both administer a bureaucracy and run a revolution.

- Yasser Arafat

Work, Chief, Though, Bureaucracy

Peace for us means the destruction of Israel. We are preparing for an all-out war, a war which will last for generations.

- Yasser Arafat

Last, Which, Means, Preparing

In order to obtain the goal of returning to Palestine, all of us sometimes have to grit our teeth.

- Yasser Arafat

Goal, Palestine, Obtain, Teeth

This is my homeland no one can kick me out.

- Yasser Arafat

Me, Out, Homeland, Kick

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