I remember visiting Arafat with an international delegation during his final days in Ramallah. He looked worn and frail, and his complexion was grey. On his table was a gun which he said he would use if the Israelis dared to invade his compound in the occupied West Bank. This wasn’t an idle threat; Israeli tanks were surrounding the building and the late Ariel Sharon, the antithesis of a peacemaker, was threatening to do all sorts, including physically removing Arafat from power. Since Israel has never chosen to be bound by international law — indeed, treats it with open contempt — such threats could not be taken lightly.