Yasser Arafat is a fascinating historical figure. Initially he gained fame as a military leader focused on denying statehood for Israel while championing statehood for Palestine. Eventually he rose to become Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization. In 1994 he received the Nobel Prise for the Middle East peace negotiations in Oslo. Mention Yasser Arafat and many see a great man and hero fighting for Palestine. Mention his name to others and he is vilified as a terrorist responsible for hundreds and thousands of deaths.
Yasser Arafat died in 2004 from what was declared a massive brain hemorrhage. Almost immediately there were rumors surrounding his death. Some claimed he died of AIDS or cancer. Others claimed he was poisoned. Over the last few years the debate has grown. The focus has been on the theory that he was poisoned by Israel using everything from polonium to thallium. Early this morning his body was exhumed and samples taken. Here is an article from the BBC about the exhumation that gives some background.
Time will give us a few more answers. But the results of this process will likely only open more wounds and create more unanswered questions. For toxicologists Yasser Arafat will remain a fascinating figure as we attempt to tie his clinical picture to what is discovered by these tests and then compare the data against more accusations. To get your toxicologic juices flowing; does the clinical picture of polonium poisoning match his death?
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