Yasser Arafat is unflinching in his determination to win freedom for Palestine even if it means sacrificing his life, said Madiha Arafat, his youngest sister. In an interview with Al-Majalla, a sister publication of Arab News, Madiha said he was not deterred in his struggle by threats to his life. “My brother has always been known for his unflinching determination,” she said while trying to fight back her tears. Excerpts from the interview:
Q: Don’t you think the viciousness of the siege might force your brother to alter his position?
A: My brother will never agree to change the declared national stance of the Palestinians. He will never accept Israeli terms to save his life. Why has he been fighting nonstop for 40 years? His leadership has never been easy. The present crisis is not the first in his life. I believe that the past ordeals were much tougher than the present one. The present one differs from others in that now the whole world realizes the need for establishing an independent state of Palestine and doing it as quickly as possible.
Q: Was Arafat by any chance expecting the current crisis?
A: Believe it or not, he possesses a sixth sense. I believe that he had a hunch the Israelis would resort to something like this sooner or later. He was sure that things would come to this pass, particularly after his planes in Gaza were destroyed.
Q: Since you know your older brother very well, do you believe he will use his revolver against the Israelis if they raid his room in the building?
A: Arafat is a resolute man. I don’t think he would hesitate to use his weapon in self-defense. However violent and menacing Israeli aggression may become, Arafat will never abandon his current stand which has gained international support.
Q: Do you believe that he will have to defend himself against the Israeli soldiers with his gun?
A: Such suggestions, in fact, frighten me. I pray to Allah that the situation will not deteriorate. He is not alone; his aides and guards are with him. The Israelis are not in a position to reach him personally. I don’t think it will be easy for the Israeli soldiers to have a face-to-face fight with him. On the other hand, they can blow up his building to eliminate him. Whatever happens, he will not surrender to the enemy to save his own life; he has made it abundantly clear that he is prepared for martyrdom. He is a staunch believer in the inevitability of destiny.
Q: How did you feel when you heard him say that he was prepared for martyrdom?
A: I could not control myself and I was extremely upset.
Q: Do you fear that his life is really in danger?
A: My heart is crushed with pain. What can I do but constantly remind myself of the inevitability of destiny?
Q: Do you believe that Arafat will emerge successful from the current crisis?
A: Nothing is impossible if Allah wills it. There can be happy surprises such as the quick realization of our goal to set up free Palestinian state.
Q: Can we say that Arafat is presently facing the most difficult and dangerous crisis in his life?
A: I don’t think so. In his long career, he has passed through countless crises much more dangerous than the present one. He came unscathed out of them all. His escape in Lebanon was a miracle, particularly when we all believed that we would never see him again. His survival of the plane crash in the Libyan desert was another surprise. The bombing of the PLO headquarters in Tunisia was certainly no less dangerous. I hope that the present crisis will be the last the Palestinians will face.
Q: What did he tell you in your last telephone conversation with him? And when was it?
A: It was a month before the latest developments. I called him to make sure that he was all right. He was busy with preparations for the Arab summit. I was worried about his health because I had heard that he took no care of himself and that he did not sleep as he should. He assured me that he was in good health. He was, apparently, trying to keep me from worrying. But I felt that his voice was tired.
Q: What about his relations with other members in the family?
A: He is very affectionate to every one of us though he is a soldier conducting a great war. His advice is always heeded in the family. He remembers even the smallest details about his relatives. He never complains of any illness or fatigue even if he is really ill or tired.
Q: Media reports say that Arafat does not have sufficient stocks of food except for a small quantity of cheese, tomatoes and cucumber.
A: He does not eat much. He eats only to stay alive. He likes cucumbers, potatoes, cheese and vine leaves so food is never a problem for him.
Q: Did you sense any difference in his life after the signing of the Oslo agreement and his return to Palestine?
A: Before Oslo he lived in remote areas. But after Oslo, he returned to his native land as its ruler though with several constraints. We were all very happy though that was a limited achievement.
Q: Has he shown signs of fatigue over the past two years?
A: He is extremely patient and never admits failure or disappointment. He even says the negotiations are part of the struggle.
Q: Whom does he trust most among his relatives and friends?
A: He trusts himself. He also possesses a sixth sense. His premonitions are 100 percent correct.
Q: Who in the family is closest to him?
A: All of us are close to him. It would be difficult to say who is the closest.
