10 former terrorists who became politicians (With Pictures)

4. Yasser Arafat

Yasser Arafat is a surprisingly popular figure among westerners despite his notoriety for embezzlement and proven former terrorist links. He was undeniably responsible for legitimizing the PLO by engaging in dialogue with Israel. His activities as a former member of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, however, seriously undermines his latter record. In 1973, the PLO were responsible for the shootings of 5 diplomats and 5 others during an operation which Arafat had full knowledge of. Despite later denouncing such violence, that he was entirely ignorant of the operations of sub-factions of the PLO while he was in power remains to be proven.

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