Khalil al-Wazir Biography
(Palestinian Leader and Co-founder of the Nationalist Party Fatah)
Birthday: October 10, 1935 (Libra)
Born In: Ramla, Israel
Khalil Al-Wazir was a Palestinian leader and a prominent aide of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Chairman Yasser Arafat. He was a key factor in the origins of the Palestinian resistance towards Israel. His family was displaced when Israel captured his home town during the war of 1947. This fostered resentment towards Israel early on, which would become the main driving force behind his struggle. He finished school in the Gaza Strip at a high school. It is here that his resentment towards Israel found an outlet. His first "operation" against Israelis came in high school when he organized a group of his friends to harass guards at Israeli outposts. This seemingly harmless activity was only the beginning of a life defined by military prowess. Al-Wazir eventually met Yasir Arafat, and together these two men formed Fatah, and later the Palestinian Liberation Organization. These two organizations were integral in Arafat's effort to establish an independent state of Palestine. On the Israeli side, Al-Wazir is seen as one of the most dangerous Palestinian terrorists to ever live.