Yasser Arafat's leadership endured some of the most challenging circumstances of any leaders in The Price of Kings series. The only President in the world without a fully recognised nation state, Arafat unified his people as a revolutionary leader but struggled with the process of nation building. Our interviewees, many of them for the first time, reveal the price he paid and the reality of his highly controversial leadership.
"Essential viewing" Andrew Gowers, FT former editor and Arafat biographer
"A beautifully crafted piece" Jon Snow, Journalist and Broadcaster
"Graphic, dramatic and emphatic" Tim Llewellyn, former BBC Middle East Correspondent
Interviewees
Suha Arafat
Speaking openly for the first time about her husband's leadership and the reality of being the young, outspoken wife of one of the most controversial Presidents of the 20th Century.
Dr Nasser Al Kidwa
Arafat's nephew and long-time political colleague has a unique insight into Arafat - from the death of Israel's Prime minister Yitzhak Rabin to his uncles last weeks in hospital and final moments.
Dr Nabil Sha'ath
Cabinet minister and one of the Palestinian Authority's longest serving politicians was introduced to Arafat by his father at the age of 11 and been at his side ever since.
Munib Al Masri
Palestinian politician, entrepreneur and former Jordanian cabinet minister. Life-long friend and financier of Yasser Arafat. He has repeatedly turned down the role of Palestinian Prime Minister and, in 2007, founded the Palestinian Forum as a rival movement to Fatah and Hamas.
Bassam Abu Sharif
Former Palestinian militant with the PFLP and senior advisor to President Arafat. At the age of 24 he was the spokesman for the PFLP's infamous Dawson's Field hijackings, the man who recruited Carlos the Jackal and recipient of one of Mossad's book bombs before turning his back on violence to become a senior advisor to Arafat.
Ahmed Qurei
Palestinian politician and former prime minister. He was the chief negotiator for Palestine during the Oslo Accords - the closest there has ever been to peace with Israel.
Dr Hanan Ashrawi
Palestinian Christian politician, activist and founder of human rights organisation MIFTAH. Central figure during the 1st Intifada and after the establishment of Palestinian self-rule where she bore witness to Arafats highly controversial methods of state-building. In 2003 she was the recipient of the Sydney Peace Prize.
General Jibril Rajoub
Palestinian politician and former member of Fatah’s military wing considers himself a disciple of Arafat. Served as head of the Palestinian Preventative Security Force in the West Bank and currently sits on the Fatah Central Committee.
General Tawfik Tirawi
At one time one of Israel's most wanted men, he was hidden and protected by Arafat throughout the siege of the Muq'ata. Served as head of the Palestinian General Intelligence Service, currently Fatah chief security advisor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
General Haj Ismail Jabr
Palestinian political and military leader. Former commander of the National Security Forces and current member of the Palestinian Central Council.
Dr Ahmad Tibi
Arab-Israeli politician and former advisor to Yasser Arafat. Deputy speaker of the Knesset and leader of the Ta’al party.
Said Kanaan
Instrumental in making first contact with the Israeli government of Yitzhak Rabin which led to the highly secret negotiations in Oslo. Aide and confidante of Yasser Arafat.
Dr Husam Zomlot
Palestinian academic and deputy commissioner for the Fatah Foreign Relations Commission. Former PLO representative to the UK.
President Guido de Marco
Sixth President of Malta and President of the UN General Assembly. Close friend of Yasser Arafat, he often acted as an intermediary between him and Israel.
Uri Savir
Chief Negotiator for Israel in the Oslo Accords and served as a member of the Knesset. Together with Ahmed Qurei they secretly negotiated the first peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Director of the Shimon Peres Center For Peace.
Uri Avnery
Israeli mobile commando in 1948 turned writer, politician and peace campaigner. Bore witness to the Nakba, served in the Knesset from 1965 to 1973 and again from 1977 to 1981.
