[Askel5]

Ah ... from the Land of Security Services and militant atheists comes true peace of mind for a Muslim's Orthodox Christmas journey.

Glad these guys are OUR friends.

[Sabramerican]

This (Islamic) Arafat is turning into the "leading" Christian.

He wants a part of all the Christian holidays, irrespective of denomination.

He also constantly talks about his struggle to plant the "Palestinian" Flag on all the Churches in Jerusalem.

Any Christians out there object to your new standard bearer?

[VaBthang4]

Who cares...?

Russian MP's arent bulletproof and definitely not feared by the IDF.

[l33t]

MOSCOW. Jan 4 (Interfax) - A delegation of the Russian Friendship and Business Cooperation Society with the Palestinian People will meet with the head of the Palestinian National Authority, Yasser Arafat, in the Palestinian territories over the next few days.

A delegation comprising 11 deputies of the Russian parliament will accompany Arafat to Bethlehem, where Orthodox Christmas services will be held.

The Russian deputies will arrive in Ramallah on January 6.

[Itzlzha]

Wow! With Arafat calling in favors from everywhere, and loads of heretofore unknown support for him to go to Bethlehem...what could possibly be that important for him there?

Is he going to collect the dhimmi taxes?

Who owes him money there?

Is there some weapon there he wants?

Or is his being in Bethlehem some sort of signal to his "associates"?

[imperator2]

Tell the Russian drunks to keep drinking their stinking vodka, since they will get the beating of their lives if they try to push the Jews around. Israel is not Russia, and the Jews there have the mean to beat the crap out the the dirty Russian drunkards.

[MissAmericanPie]

This isn't good news and bears watching.

[monkeyshine]

This may only serve to escalate the tensions. No good can come of it. Arafat being forbidden from going to Bethlehem may be considered by some a slap in the face, or unjust or whatever, but it is a non-violent form of protest. When outside parties come in, and if they try to force the issue by providing a defensive shield for him, it only raises the stakes. Bad all around if they try any of this. Lobbying, fine. But it wouldn't be proper to get themselves arrested.

[classygreeneyedblonde]

[Robe]

Thanks for coming by ,Ivan. No,Yasser can't come out and play today. Now you and your friends run along home. Bye-Bye

[McGavin999]

Has anybody here noticed that the article from Moscow just mentions that a group of people from Russia are going and that they will accompany Araft to the Orthodox Christmas Services? Has anyone here thought that maybe Arafat invited them to the ceremony, not the other way around?