Posted on 12/23/2001 3:22:14 AM PST by KQQL
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat tried to enlist the backing of Pope John Paul II in a Christmas showdown with Israel, as he vowed to defy an Israeli ban on him attending midnight mass in Bethlehem.
Israel, which blasted his helicopters in an air raid on Gaza City three weeks ago and then ringed his West Bank headquarters with tanks, said Arafat cannot make his traditional appearance at the Bethlehem service until he arrests the killers of a cabinet minister.
"No one can prevent me from reaching Bethlehem," Arafat told reporters in Ramallah, where he has been under virtual house arrest since the December 3 raids blitzed his Gaza heliport.
The 72-year-old Palestinian leader had filed an official request on Saturday to attend the midnight service in Bethlehem, in the Franciscan church of Saint Catherine next to the Church of the Nativity, which according to Christian tradition was built on the site of Jesus' birthplace,
"It is my duty, and I will see to it that I fulfil it," he said on Voice of Palestine radio. "I will go there even if I have to go on foot."
However, Israel's security cabinet rejected his bid to make the visit he has made every year since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in 1995.
"The security cabinet made its decision based on the fact that Arafat is not working to dismantle terror organizations and to foil terror attacks against Israel and to arrest and punish terrorists, including the murderers of tourism minister Rehavam Zeevi," a government statement said.
The Israeli media said the vote was close, however, with eight opposed and six in favour of avoiding a public showdown with Arafat, whose international support has began to climb back since hitting rock bottom this month amid a wave of Palestinian suicide bombings.
Israel wants Arafat to arrest the fugitive militants who gunned down Zeevi in Jerusalem on October 17, and also arrest Ahmed Sadat, head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestinian, which claimed the assassination in revenge for Israel's killing of his predecessor.
A senior Palestinian security official told AFP there were intense discussions underway with his Israeli counterparts, who had been informed of Arafat's determination to make the journey despite the security cabinet's decision.
The official said they had told the Israelis Arafat was prepared to drive to the Israeli army checkpoint at Qalandiya, on the northern edge of Jerusalem, for a public face-off if necessary.
And Palestinian cabinet secretary Ahmed Abdul Rahman appealed to Pope John Paul II to intercede to allow Arafat, a Muslim, to attend the mass.
"I call on the Pope to intervene to stop this attack on religious traditions and against the Palestinian people. We condemn this very strongly and the Palestinian people are angry," he said.
However, an official in Sharon's office told AFP that Arafat was refused because he knew where Zeevi's killers were hiding, only a few kilometres from his compound in Ramallah, but Arafat was not making the arrests.
Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres has publicly declared he is against banning Arafat from attending the religious celebrations.
(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson) Israel rejects the resolutions of the UN General Assembly's emergency session, which was convened yesterday evening under the pretext of peace, but which found itself legitimizing terrorism. These are unilateral resolutions that condemn one party to the conflict and disregard the Palestinian terrorism, incitement and violence, which the world has been witnessing for months.
These resolutions do not encourage the settlement of the conflict by negotiations, but constitute a message that legitimizes the use of violence and terror while making cynical use of the UN's automatic majority.
Israel expresses its appreciation for those countries that took its stance during the Assembly's emergency session, but also expresses it particular disappointment with the attitude of Western European countries: these countries aspire to be involved in the efforts to renew talks, are well aware of the reality in the field, but in spite of this they chose to side with this unbalanced resolution.
It is unacceptable that at a time in which the world is at war against terrorism, a UN member country that is the victim of terrorism is condemned.
The results of the UN's emergency Assembly's discussions prove once again that the solution cannot be found in international forums, but in the field itself: the Palestinians must cease their terrorism forthwith, and only after a complete ceasefire is achieved can negotiations be resumed in accordance with the measures the parties themselves have agreed upon. Israel expects the implementation of the declared Palestinian ceasefire and a maturation of the terms that will provide for the resumption of negotiations that Israel longs for.
It just comes to mind.
| A Palestinian boy participates, in front of a poster of Osama bin Laden, in a demonstration by various Palestinian political factions marking the anniversary of the Palestinian uprising against Israel, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Friday Sept. 28, 2001. Writing in Arabic on poster reads "The Islamic Jihad movement stands beside all honorable people of our nation". The Islamic Jihad is a radical Palestinian group. (AP Photo)
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The despicable old coot is a Muslim. I sure hope Israel keeps him away. Why on earth give this swine a political boost. Arafat at Bethlehem at Christmas time. A new phony Muslim "tradition".
| A masked member of Izzedine al-Qassam, the military wing of Hamas, demonstrates in front of a poster of Osama Bin Laden during a march held by various Palestinian political factions marking the anniversary of the Palestinian uprising against Israel, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Friday Sept. 28, 2001. Writing in Arabic on poster reads "The Islamic Jihad movement stands beside all honorable people of our nation". The Islamic Jihad is a radical Palestinian group. (AP Photo) |
The Pope is one of the greatest anti-communists ever.
What the heck are you smoking?
You are absolutely on target. But I must admit, in good Christian conscience, I can't agree with the last five words of your post.
And I'll wager you feel the same, even though it is tempting to release venom against complete ignorance and bigotry.
Regards and Merry Christmas,
EODGUY
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