Exiled Arafat Disciple Raises Millions as He Gauges Return
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Mohammed Dahlan used to crisscross the globe with Yasser Arafat, collecting funds to wage both war and peace. Now banished by Mahmoud Abbas, Arafat’s successor, the former Gaza security czar is on the road again, raising money for Palestinians and helping broker high-end business deals.
From his refuge in the oil-pumping Gulf emirate of Abu Dhabi, Dahlan, 53, says he’s been using his connections to raise tens of millions of dollars for Palestinian refugees in his native Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. Some of the money comes from United Arab Emirates leaders, where he has ties with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Other funds come from links with leaders in East Europe, Africa and the Middle East.