Ariel Quote by Yasser Arafat
![“In 1982, when Alexander Haig and [Ariel] Sharon put this plan to invade the south of Lebanon and Beirut, they imagined that in two or three or five days, they can demolish the PLO and destroy its infrastructure. What happened? The longest Arab - Israeli confrontation.” quote by Yasser Arafat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/82f/yasser-arafat-6821_ariel_in-1982-when-alexander-haig-and-ariel-sh_252847.jpg)
“In 1982, when Alexander Haig and [Ariel] Sharon put this plan to invade the south of Lebanon and Beirut, they imagined that in two or three or five days, they can demolish the PLO and destroy its infrastructure. What happened? The longest Arab - Israeli confrontation.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Yasser Arafat addressing the Arab world, 1982, after Israeli invasion of Lebanon
He predicted a swift victory over the PLO, but the conflict dragged on for years, becoming a protracted war
In simple terms: He thought the war would be quick, but it became a long, costly struggle
Key Takeaway
Expect wars to be longer and more complex than initial plans suggest
Themes
war
politics
conflict
miscalculation
prolonged struggle
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- Middle East peace negotiations
- military planning
- public expectations
- humanitarian crises
Key Concepts
Geopolitics
military strategy
asymmetric warfare
Questions to Reflect On
- What factors cause brief military plans to become prolonged conflicts?
- How can leaders better anticipate long‑term consequences of war?
A Different Perspective
Overoptimistic timelines can ignore entrenched resistance and regional dynamics
![“[Alexander Haig and Ariel Sharon ] casualties in this war were more than in all the previous Arab - Israeli confrontations. If you remember, it is the only war [in 1982] which hasn't a hero among the Israeli generals.” quote by Yasser Arafat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ea4/yasser-arafat-6821_ariel_alexander-haig-and-ariel-sharon-casualti_1422432.jpg)
![“Where is [Ariel] Sharon who, planning to be one of the big heroes of Israel, became one of the killers, criminals, killing our small kids in Sabra and Chatila. Where is Alexander Haig?” quote by Yasser Arafat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/20f/yasser-arafat-6821_ariel_where-is-ariel-sharon-who-planning-to-be_2604530.jpg)
![“Today a Scot is leading a British army in France [Field Marshall Douglas Haig], another is commanding the British Grand Fleet at sea [Admiral David Beatty], while a third directs the Imperial General Staff at home [Sir William Roberton]. The Lord Chancellor is a Scot [Viscount Finlay]; so are the…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/365/john-hay-beith-177397_admiral_today-a-scot-is-leading-a-british-army-i_2497209.jpg)
![“Aig [F.-M. Sir Douglas Haig] 'e don't say much; 'e don't, so to say, say nothin'; but what 'e don't say don't mean nothin', not 'arf. But when 'e do say something--my Gawd!” quote by E. V. Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0a5/e-v-lucas-21361_haig_aig-f-m-sir-douglas-haig-e-don-t-say-muc_932000.jpg)
![“We have absolute support from all our masses inside our occupied territories and even outside our occupied territories. The "War of the Camps" [in Lebanon] is another picture of this strong support of our masses.” quote by Yasser Arafat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/186/yasser-arafat-6821_absolutes_we-have-absolute-support-from-all-our-ma_126317.jpg)
![“When I made a big effort in '96 and it is not - I squeezed and I arrested a part of [terroristic groups].” quote by Yasser Arafat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/453/yasser-arafat-6821_arrested_when-i-made-a-big-effort-in-96-and-it-is_231875.jpg)
![“Now you are trying to recover it through Irangate. I know that. But it will cost you a lot. And if you are speaking about the charters again, you have to remember that the Israelis should recognize first the resolutions of the United Nations, according to [one of] which they became a state. Israel…” quote by Yasser Arafat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ee2/yasser-arafat-6821_charter_now-you-are-trying-to-recover-it-through_249629.jpg)
