On November 11th 2004 the end of one political and religious era suffered a loss, and left it's leadership in question. Yasser Arafat died at the age of 75 in a Paris hospital. Officials have not said what the exact cause of death was.
             Not much was known about his private life, but he was extremely famous for his battle to bring an independent Palestinian state to existence. Palestinians worldwide looked to Arafat. He was head of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) since 1969. World leaders are now in a wait and see stance. Palestinians as wee are hoping that their life long dream of independence in their own state will one day become a reality.
             Arafat was a peace loving man, but many have claimed this was not so, because of all the bloodshed caused in the name of a free state. In 1988, Arafat renounces terrorism and supported the rights of all parties in the Middle East conflict to live in peace and security, including Palestinians. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 for his efforts. In 1996 Palestinian elections took place and Arafat was elected president of the Palestinian Authority.
             My opinion is that Arafat was a leader who believed in his cause- Palestinian independence. He was a very private and peaceful person. He wanted what was best for his people, but his way of accomplishing that goal seemed questionable at times. Maybe there will be a Palestinian state, as Arafat desired but it will have to come in another's lifetime.
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