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YASSAR ARAFAT PRESIDENT AND PALESTINIAN
Yassar Arafat was set apart from other Palestinians. While others were settling down with families, making a home and looking to the future, Arafat presented himself as a worrier president of the new state of Palestine.
His return to Gaza was greatly anticipated. The people of the West Bank were full of hope and expectation for the return of their leader and the young fighters that went into exile with him.
'Prepared to die'
But he was prepared to die like any true soldier. He was always ready to lay down his life; to sacrifice himself for the cause of Palestinian independence.
At court an his home in Ramallah his life was full and hectic. People came to visit at all times of the day and night. Everyone wanted an audience with him. He and the office he represented were highly respected. Perhaps more so because of there fragility.
'Eccentric old man'
Yet he was an eccentric elderly man and had a number of habits that also helped set him apart. For example his house was very bare. It was empty of luxuries and things to make him feel that he was at home. He always wore his army uniform in public and in private. He went to bed a soldier and woke each morning a soldier. And like a soldier he always ate the same food, whether it was breakfast or dinner.
'Sacrifice'
He was always ready to fight and be killed. Sometimes he would be worried about the threat of Hamas -the PLO's strongest Palestinian opposition party. But he was ready for them. Despite his legendary fighters returning older, grey and fat, they were still an effective fighting force to be reckoned with. They were able to defend their leader. He was like a father.
There is a photograph of him holding his young daughter in his arms. He looks at her with love and adoration.
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