'Jerusalem is closer than ever'
PA Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia pledges to continue struggle until Jerusalem becomes capital of Palestinian state; promises to follow Arafat's path until Palestinian flags are placed above walls of Jerusalem
Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and the Jenin area in the West Bank is the first step towards Jerusalem, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia said Thursday in preparation for the PA’s official pullout celebrations.
“They (Israelis) don’t have any other choice,” he said. “The direction we have are moving in together over the past few years brings us closer to Jerusalem and the release of sacred Palestinian land.”
While Qureia said last week, “Today Gaza, tomorrow Jerusalem,” he seemed to sharpen his stance on Thursday.
“We are standing before the gates of Jerusalem. The Israelis are leaving and we hope they’ll leave us alone and our land, never to return,” he said. “When they leave our homes and nation, we will know how to build our homeland. We are the builders of this area, let them leave us in peace.”
'Arafat, you are in our hearts'
The Palestinian prime minister said his nation’s struggle would only end once Jerusalem is in their control.
“We will still celebrate once we reach our goals and establish a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, with the return of the refugees,” he said.
In reference to former PA chairman Yasser Arafat birthday - celebrated Thursday - Qureia called the Palestinians, "the children of Yasser Arafat the martyr and the children of Ahmed Yassin the martyr and the children of all the martyrs.”
“Jerusalem is closer than ever,” he said. ‘We promise you, Arafat, you will stay in our hearts. We will continue to follow your path and carry out your promise that Palestinian girls and boys will wave the Palestinian flag above the walls of Jerusalem, its mosques and churches. We will continue until victory. None of us will give up until we are on Jerusalem’s soil.”
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