Palestinians remember Arafat
Thousands gather in Ramallah to commemorate former PA Chairman Yasser Arafat, a year after his death. There was no leader like him, current Chairman Abbas says in eulogy to Arafat. 'He led the Palestinian ship to Jerusalem,' he adds
Hundreds of security officers and presidential guard members worked to separate the masses from the area designated for VIPs and guests, while dozens of delegations made their way to the late leader's grave to say prayers or place flowers on the gravestone.
Abbas in rally to commemorate Arafat (Photo: AFP)
Songs written in Arafat's memory were played during the preparations for the rally, and a huge poster carrying Arafat's image was hung at the Mukata'a. On it was printed a declaration of the Palestinian Authority in which it pledged to carry on in the leader's footsteps.
The central placard that was placed on the stage read: "None among us will forfeit a grain of Jerusalem's sand."
Abbas: Arafat led us to Jerusalem
After he placed flowers on Arafat's grave and raised the Palestinian flag carrying Arafat's picture, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas turned to address the crowds.
In his eulogy to his predecessor Abbas said that "Arafat's story was like no one else's," and added that Arafat had the special ability to rise from the ashes victorious time and time again.
Arafat, according to Abbas, was "the cavalier of the Palestinian revolution."
"No other modern leader has captured the world's attention like Arafat. The Palestinian history has no charismatic figure to match him, a captain who sailed the Palestinian ship, despite many storms, to Jerusalem," Abbas said.
Israel's withdrawal from Gush Katif and the West Bank, Abbas claimed, was the fruit of Arafat's struggle.
Abbas went on to express his willingness to conduct a true and serious negotiation with Israel.
"We will do everything that is within our powers to reach a peaceful settlement, and to turn the pullout from Gaza into a milestone on the way to further disengagements and an end to the occupation," he said.
The Palestinian leader, however, lashed at Israel for continuing to "create illusions," and said that while the Palestinians are determined to unite their ranks, they will not comply with dictations from any of the sides involved.
'He was like a father to us'
Nazer Abed el-Qader, who served as an officer in Arafat's presidential guard, still mourns the passing of his former boss.
"Not a day goes by that we don't think about the Rais. I spent eight years close by his side at the Mukata'a," he said.
The members of the presidential guard never felt they were at the service of the former chairman, but rather that he was their friend and father, el-Qader said.
"He would take care of us in the most personal way, would concern himself with our problems. If one of us got sick, you could feel he sincerely worried about him," el-Qader explained.
During the IDF siege of the Mukata'a, el-Qader said, some of the men of the presidential guard shared a room with Arafat.
Troops march during rally (Photo: Reuters)
"He would sometime feed us, or cover us with a blanket while we were sleeping. He would sleep beside us on the same mattresses," he recounted.
"He treated us more like a father than like a leader or a president," el-Qader said.
A year after Arafat's death, el-Qader said he and his friends feel like orphans.
"We were with him in the good moments and the difficult moments, but we Palestinians have gotten used to seeing one martyr go down, to be replaced by another martyr," he said.
Arafat was not forgotten by the Palestinian people, el-Qader claimed. "People come to place flowers on his grave every day. Ordinary people, as well as official delegations have come to show their respect for this great leader," he said.
Israeli activists: He was a great leader
Among the attendees at the ceremony were several Israeli peace activists, including Latif Dori, chairman of the Committee for Israeli-Palestinian Dialogue, and author and reporter Amnon Kapeliouk.
Arafat was one of the great leaders of his generation, Dori said. "He was a humble person and a giant of this generation, who symbolized honor and resistance. I got to know him after he returned to the Palestinian territories, and saw in him a true friend and brother," Dori added.
"This feeling grew in me in particular during the siege on the Mukata'a. The way in which Israel's leaders acted against the intifada is worthy of contempt and will tarnish their memory for eternity," Dori stated.
"However, the struggle must continue until the there is no more occupation, a Palestinian state is established alongside Israel, and a just peace settlement is signed," he continued.
"We stand today on the grave of a great leader, and we pledge to continue his legacy, and follow the courageous path of peace," Dori concluded.
