Arafat Emerges as Hero of Palestinians

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Arafat Emerges as Hero of Palestinians

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Arafat Emerges as Hero of Palestinians

With a wide smile on the face of the white-bearded 72-year-old leader of the Palestinians, Yasser Arafat Thursday emerged from his office in the West Bank town of Ramallah for the first time since last December, flashing with a V-sign and giving a thumbs-up.

Arafat was finally able to go out of his severely damaged compound, or the place known as "Al Muqataa" near Ramallah center, that has been a spot for world televisions for five months since Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon decided to isolate him.

Received and greeted by hundreds of cheering Palestinian crowds,Arafat walked out of the building where his office, surrounded by his personal bodyguards and aides who have been with him and have not shaved their beards since March 29.

Arafat's bodyguards and aides held his arms to help him walk on several steps before he went into one of his black limousine that was not destroyed by Israeli army tanks and bulldozers.

Arafat flashed a V-sign from the window of his limo as the crowds chanted "with spirit and blood, we redeem Abu Amar (Arafat's nick name)."

The car started to drive slowly, accompanied by two presidential vehicles. Special guards ran after the car while putting their hands on it.

The first thing Arafat did when his small convoy arrived at Ramallah Hospital was to visit a massive grave in the hospital's garden where 10 Palestinians were buried. The Palestinians were killed during the Israeli army incursion into Ramallah four weeks ago.

Arafat also visited several buildings of his Palestinian National Authority ministries that were also raided by the Israeli army. Parts of those buildings were destroyed.

"We will continue to the end of the road towards Jerusalem, the capital of an independent Palestinian state," Arafat told reporters during his tour, and then he chanted with a loud voice "To Jerusalem, we go, millions of Martyrs."

Arafat said that the Palestinians are the toughest people in the region, adding that "they are ready to defend their holiest sites. But they believe that they will reach peace one day."

Arafat stressed, despite the destruction by the Israeli army in the West Bank towns, "We will rebuild all what has been destroyed."

Asked if he is planning to visit Jenin refugee camp, Arafat said that "they (Israelis) are closing all the roads that lead to Jenin,and they are still besieging all our towns and villages."

"This aggression would never break the determination of our people in looking for freedom and independence," he said.

Arafat also angrily condemned the continuation of the standoff in the Church of the Nativity in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem, describing what has happened in the Church as "awful crimes against out holy sites."

"How could the world possibly be silent about this atrocious crime," Arafat said.

"I don't care what would happen to me. What concerns me is what is happening at the Church. This is a crime that cannot be forgiven." he said.

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