The television networks descended on Yasser Arafat's compound in Ramallah yesterday, the day after the Israeli cabinet decided in principle to expel him from the Occupied Territories. Michael Jansen reports from inside Yasser Arafat's compound, in Ramallah
Armed guards stand round, chatting, relaxed. The place displays the evidence of serious conflict. A reinforced concrete water tower has its iron guts hanging out. There is a barricade of flattened and twisted cars, a brutal sculpture memorialising Israel's assault on the compound during the spring of 2002.
Since I was last here 18 months ago, the battered block where Mr Arafat lives and works has been repaired. The holes from shells and bullets have been filled in.
Filing cabinets blocking the entrance are covered with posters of the Old Man. Mr Arafat has been known as al-Khitiar - the Old Man - since he was in his 30s. Today he is 74, a man made old by strife.
He emerges from his office in a crush of bodyguards in response to the call to prayer. Small, frail, smiling, flashing the V-for-victory sign, he crosses the courtyard to communal prayers.
It is a day of sun and soundbites.
"How is he today?" I ask Nabil Abu Rudeina, a Christian from Bethlehem, Mr Arafat's closest aide. "Fine," he responds.
Mr Arafat is never better than when he faces a major challenge. Israel's threat to expel him is an old threat, revived.
"I don't think they will try anything today," says Mr Abu Rudeina.
The head of the Palestinian medical relief committees, Dr Mustafa Barghouti, is wearing a red and white baseball cap to keep the sun out of his eyes.
"The whole Palestinian people will rise up if the Israelis try to expel Arafat. The American reaction to the Israeli threat is not strong enough. We need the Americans to take a strong stand," he says.
The Palestinian Foreign Minister, Dr Nabil Shaath, says Israel overreacted. "They caused an international uproar. Now the Israelis don't know what to do. Their strategy is to keep saying they are going to deport him so the international community becomes used to the idea . . .
"It's no good saying President Arafat is an obstacle to peace. The man is the elected leader of his people. Sharon is an obstacle, [his Defence Minister, Gen Shaul] Mofaz is an obstacle. We don't say Sharon should be removed."
Mr Arafat emerges from the mosque to regain his office. The courtyard fills with Palestinians out strolling. A man and his heavily pregnant wife and two children are carrying posters of Mr Arafat. An elderly Palestinian woman in a traditional white dress with red Ramallah embroidery is handed a bottle of water by the guards at the entrance to Mr Arafat's office.
Palestinians are at home here. Mr Arafat is one of the people. Little boys borne on their fathers' shoulders wave Palestinian flags with one hand and make the V-sign with the other, the cameras close in. Teams of cheerleaders bring scores of lads from town to express their support for the President.
As I depart, a pick-up truck carrying rolls of carpeting enters the gate. Mr Arafat is redecorating. He plans to stay.