BICOM

The grave of former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was opened yesterday in Ramallah, allowing Swiss, French and Russian forensic experts to take samples from his body.

Arafat died in a Paris hospital in 2004, although there was no autopsy at the request of his wife Suha and the causes of his death were never fully explained. A Swiss laboratory found traces of polonium on Arafat’s belongings earlier this year, prompting speculation that Arafat’s death had been caused by a radioactive substance. As a result, Arafat’s wife and the Palestinian Authority have launched an enquiry to establish the cause of Arafat’s death once and for all, necessitating yesterday’s exhumation.

Some Palestinian figures have accused Israel of having poisoned Arafat. Speaking yesterday, Tawfiq al Tirawi, head of the Palestinian investigation committee said, “We have evidence which suggests he was poisoned by Israelis…It is necessary to find the truth in the death of President Yasser Arafat.”

Israel has consistently denied the accusation, especially given that the Israeli government helped facilitate Arafat’s transfer to Paris for treatment shortly before his death.  Israel’s foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor dismissed the claims saying, “All the accusations against Israel are completely ridiculous and not based on the slightest bit of evidence.”

Indeed some scientists have noted that radioactive poisoning is an unlikely cause of death, given that Arafat did not suffer hair loss which is an unavoidable consequence. Reuters also reported the opinion of some experts that a temporary recovery during Arafat’s illness was also inconsistent with radioactive poisoning.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Lausanne University, where tests will be carried out emphasised that it will take several months to obtain results, commenting “I don’t think we will have anything tangible available before March or April next year.”