When asked if he had an Israeli friend, Arafat named me. This was based on his belief that I had risked my life when I went to see him in Beirut. On my part, I was grateful for his trust in me when he met me there, at a time when hundreds of Sharon's agents were looking for him.
But beyond personal considerations, Arafat was the man who was able to make peace with Israel, willing to do so, and -- more important -- to get his people, including the Islamists, to accept it. This would have put an end to the settlement enterprise.
That's why he was poisoned.
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