Yasser Arafat was born in Cairo and the PLO was founded in 1964?

checkthis · automated fact-check · How we check · Reel by @hilzfuld

The historical events cited—Arafat's birth in Cairo, the 1929 Hebron massacre, and the PLO's 1964 founding—are real, though Arafat did not found the PLO. Historical records confirm Yasser Arafat was born in Cairo in 1929, the Hebron massacre occurred in 1929, and the PLO was founded in 1964. However, BBC reports show the PLO was created by the Arab League, not by Arafat, who became its chairman in 1969.

3 claims checked
2 sources
Checked 3 Nov 2026
Main source: BBC NEWS | Middle East | Obituary: Yasser Arafat

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The Reel we checked

@hilzfuld

The history of this conflict didn't begin in 1967. Jews were massacred in Hebron in 1929. The PLO was founded in 1964. I believe we need to confront the full…

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What we checked

Yasser Arafat was born in Cairo.Except: The PLO was founded in 1964 by the Arab League, and Yasser Arafat became chairman in 1969 (BBC).“In 1969, Arafat was voted chairman of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), which had been formed four years earlier by the Arab League.”BBC NEWS | Middle East | Obituary: Yasser Arafat

The PLO was founded in 1964.Except: The PLO was founded in 1964 by the Arab League, and Yasser Arafat became chairman in 1969 (BBC).“In 1969, Arafat was voted chairman of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), which had been formed four years earlier by the Arab League.”BBC NEWS | Middle East | Obituary: Yasser Arafat

Jews were massacred in Hebron in 1929.“By the time the massacre ended, 67 Jews lay dead – their homes and synagogues destroyed – and the few hundred”The Hebron Massacre - Jewish Virtual Library

What the Reel doesn't tell you

BBC reports that Yasser Arafat was born in Cairo in 1929 and became chairman of the PLO executive committee in 1969.
The European Council on Foreign Relations and BBC report that the PLO was established in 1964 during an Arab League summit.

Short version

✅ MOSTLY TRUE 👉 The historical events cited—Arafat's birth in Cairo, the 1929 Hebron massacre, and the PLO's 1964 founding—are real, though Arafat did not found the PLO. 👉 Historical records confirm Yasser Arafat was born in Cairo in 1929, the Hebron massacre occurred in 1929, and the PLO was founded in 1964. 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat