Inside the Compound
Under Siege from Israel
Israel and America's attempts to isolate Yasser Arafat have only increased his popularity amongst his Palestinian subjects.
Ever since Israel threatened to expel or assassinate Arafat, crowds like this have flocked to his Ramallah Compound. Over the past 18 months, Arafat’s compound has come under siege three times. Israeli tanks have reduced large sections of the building to rubble. However, far from undermining Arafat, Israel’s actions have only increased his popularity. Palestinians see him as embodying their nation’s struggle and take all threats to his safety personally. The sighting of an ambulance entering the compound sends the media into a frenzy, reports circulate that he has been poisoned. Despite a brief appearance to allay the rumours, Palestinians are all too aware of how frail and vulnerable their leader is.
FULL SYNOPSIS
Produced by SBS Australia