Episcopal Press and News

Arafat Vows to Give Palestinian Recognition to Christmas

Episcopal News Service. January 17, 1996 [96-1353G]

(ENI) During Christmas celebrations in the Holy Land, Yasser Arafat made a major effort to dispel the anxiety of Christians about their status in a Muslim-led Palestine. The president of the Palestinian National Authority made an important pro-Christian speech two days before Christmas, telling thousands of residents and pilgrims in Manger Square in Bethlehem that Jesus had been "a Palestinian revolutionary." Arafat also referred to Jesus as Saviour and Messiah. Speaking to the crowds who were celebrating their first Christmas in Christ's birthplace since the withdrawal of Israeli occupation troops from the town, Arafat also proclaimed that Christmas Day would be recognized as a national holiday in Palestine. Many people living in the region believe that Arafat is willing to stand up to Islamic fundamentalists who could pose a threat to local Christians. However, a small, right-wing group of expatriate Christians in Jerusalem, who have set up an organization called the International Christian Embassy, had urged visitors to boycott Bethlehem Christmas observances "to protest Muslim oppression of Christians in the Middle East."