Written in 1990,one might think that this book is incredibly out of date and of little relevance. To the contrary, the book contains a wealth of information which is still extremely appropriate for our understanding of current events involving the PLO.The book describes how Yasser Arafat, after being driven out of Lebanon in 1982, travelled the World with all of the fanfare and honour normally accorded a head of state. Despite, as is described here, the extensive knowledge of his involvement in International terrorism with Arafat even being described as the " father" of international terror and the "inventor" of aircraft hi-jackings.
This book contains often shocking information, often from intelligence sources, about Yasser Arafat & his followers plus the complex structure of the PLO and it's International machinations. Besides the many terrorist elements revealed are also the "protection rackets" and extortions which have helped the PLO to become the richest terrorist organisation in the entire World whilst ordinary Palestinians are allowed by their leadership to live in squalor. The book also reveals the direct involvement of Yasser Arafat in the murders of at least two US Ambassadors. The book pulls no punches in describing how the PLO under Yasser Arafat has lined up politically and militarily with the enemies of the USA.
The book, which as stated was written in 1990, states that even then Arafat had yet to demonstrate his ability or desire to "police" his own community and provide the kind of assurances necessary for Israel to take him at his word. (Page 29). The book elaborating that a PLO ruled state in the "West Bank" and Gaza might "might even turn out to be an even greater source of instability than the present stateless PLO...".
The book also queries the potential relationship of such a future state with what would be "neighbouring" Jordan, whose population is described as mostly Palestinian. The possible dangers and potential "military alliances" are voiced.
The book describes, how even over a decade ago, public appearances of Yasser Arafat were carefully orchestrated to downplay his "terrorist" image and to make him appear more benign and "statesmanlike". It being further stated that Arafat's "handlers" were always careful to ensure that he looked the part of the "victim".
Much of the PLO's history is documented from it's establishment in 1964, including the "Black September" conflict with Jordan where some six to ten thousand Palestinians are stated as having lost their lives in fighting with Jordanian forces, before the PLO was forcibly ejected. The book describing the end of a "state within a state" in Jordan and the beginning of a "state within a state" in Lebanon.
The book reveals Yasser Arafat to have been born in Cairo, Egypt in 1928 with the name of Abed a-Rachman Abed a-Rauf Arafat al-Qudwah al-Husseini. Also illustrated are his claims, based on political expediency, to have been born in "Palestine" in both Gaza & Jerusalem. The book depicted how, early in life, Arafat dropped any reference to his last name to distance himself from what the book describes as "his illustrious relative" Haj Amin al-Husseini who collaborated with Adolf Hitler during World War 2 & the "final solution" to the "Jewish problem".
The book describes the internal structure of the PLO, it's constituent elements and it's relationship to other terrorist organisations throughout the World, plus it's "secret agenda" pertaining to Israel and the Palestinian National Charter that calls for the eradication of Israel.
I respectfully recommend that all those interested in the "peace process" obtain a copy of this book.