Arafat was born in 1929 to a successful merchant father and a religiously devoted mother. His birth name was Mohammed, but he was quickly nicknamed Yasser, which means “easy.” Arafat’s mother died when he was 4, and his father sent him to live with a married uncle in Jerusalem. As a teenager in the 1940s, Arafat became involved in the Palestinian cause. Before the Arabs were defeated by Israel in 1948, Arafat was a leader in the Palestinian effort to smuggle arms into the territory. .In July 1, Yasser Arafat, returned to Palestine for the first time in 33 years. September 1993, had made possible Arafat's return. He went first to Gaza City in the Gaza Strip, where he was welcomed by a crowd estimated at 200,000. Three days later he flew by helicopter to the city of Jericho. Both areas had been granted Palestinian rule by the treaty. .In July 1, Yasser Arafat, returned to Palestine for the first time in 33 years. September 1993, had made possible Arafat's return. He went first to Gaza City in the Gaza Strip, where he was welcomed by a crowd estimated at 200,000. Three days later he flew by helicopter to the city of Jericho. Both areas had been granted Palestinian rule by the treaty. ..In July 1, Yasser Arafat, returned to Palestine for the first time in 33 years. September 1993, had made possible Arafat's return. He went first to Gaza City in the Gaza Strip, where he was welcomed by a crowd estimated at 200,000. Three days later he flew by helicopter to the city of Jericho. Both areas had been granted Palestinian rule by the treaty.In July 1, Yasser Arafat, returned to Palestine for the first time in 33 years. September 1993, had made possible Arafat's return. He went first to Gaza City in the Gaza Strip, where he was welcomed by a crowd estimated at 200,000. Three days later he flew by helicopter to the city of Jericho... ..