The Walls Came Tumbling Down

Arafat returns to Palestinian territory and puts his authority behind the construction of a new nation

In blazing Mediterranean sunshine, Yasser Arafat crossed the border from Egypt into the Gaza Strip, dropped to his knees and kissed the sandy soil. As the welcoming crowd cheered and waved black-red-green-and-white flags, he was surrounded by officials and security men from the Palestine Liberation Organization. He and his aides piled into a convoy of cars and trucks carrying armed guards and sped along the main north-south route into Gaza City. Thousands of supporters roared a welcome outside the building where the Israeli army of occupation had its local headquarters until last May.

The initial return of Yasser Arafat, awaited so...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!