Clinton Recalls Tale of Pistol-Packing Arafat
Speaking at an Abington synagogue, former President Clinton told the group that Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat wanted to wear a gun at a 1993 White House ceremony announcing the Middle East peace agreement.
“I said, ‘This is a peace agreement. This isn’t a remake of “Rio Bravo,” ’ “ Clinton said, referring to the classic John Wayne movie.
During decades in exile, Arafat regularly wore a pistol, and sparked a controversy when he wore it during a speech to the U.N. General Assembly in 1974.
About 850 people paid as much as $600 each to hear Clinton speak.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
