Arafat, however, knew that Muslims around the world expected the Palestinians to be custodians of the Haram al-Sharif and therefore that no Palestinian could sign away sovereignty. He knew that if he did, he might not live long enough to see any agreement implemented. "Mr. President," he said to Clinton, "do you want to come to my funeral? I would rather die than agree to Israeli sovereignty to Haram al-Sharif."
