Israeli President Urges Sharon to Allow Arafat's Christmas Trip to Bethlehem

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, December 24, 2001

Israeli President Urges Sharon to Allow Arafat's Christmas Trip to Bethlehem

Israeli President Moshe Katsav has said that Israel should not prevent Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat from going to Bethlehem to attend Christmas Mass at the Church of Nativity.

Israeli President Moshe Katsav has said that Israel should not prevent Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat from going to Bethlehem to attend Christmas Mass at the Church of Nativity.

Katsav, who is symbol of Israel and has no decision-making power, requested Cabinet Secretary Gideon Saar to pass on his recommendation to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Israel Radio reported on Monday.

Israel reportedly does not allow Arafat to leave Ramallah until he arrests the two assassins of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze'evi in October.

The two suspects, identified as Ahmed Saadat and Jihad Ghoulmi, are members of the radical Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and are reportedly hiding in Ramallah.

"No one can humiliate the Palestinians or make them lose their determination," Arafat told Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Michal Sabbah during a meeting in Ramallah, Israeli Army Radio reported.

Arafat vowed earlier that nobody would prevent him from going to Bethlehem, even if he would go to the city "on foot."

Senior European Union diplomats said on Sunday that they were in touch with Israeli foreign ministry officials in an attempt to have the travel ban rescinded.

"We believe that this decision spoils a lot of positive points that Israel has gained in European opinion in the past few weeks," said Belgian Ambassador to Israel Wilfred Geens, whose country is currently holding the EU presidency.

Geens noted that Arafat is the only Muslim leader who makes a point of attending Christmas Mass in a show of religious tolerance, said Geens, adding that "it would be very bad if Arafat were prevented from attending the Mass."

Arafat Vows to Go to Bethlehem on Foot Despite Israel's Decision

Palestinian, Israeli Security Chiefs Resume Contacts