infopalRAMALLAH, November 11, 2006, (WAFA)- President Mahmoud Abbas asserted Saturday that the path of the late President Yasser Arafat is the way of freedom and independence.
In a speech in a ceremony marking the second anniversary of the death of Yasser Arafat, in the Presidential HQ in Ramallah, President Abbas said that the "torch of freedom" lightened by President Arafat in 1965 would continue flaming despite the Israeli aggression, siege and Apartheid Wall.
President Abbas counted significant political and revolutionary spots in the life of the prominent leader Yasser Arafat.
He reminded that the late leader, Arafat, abided by the Palestinian rights, for freedom and independence, especially Jerusalem, the Christian and Islamic shrines and the solution of the issue of the Palestinian refugees based on the UN resolution 194 (Right of Return).
Abbas added that "we" will never change the principles and goals of Yasser Arafat, asserting that the peace president Arafat signed for is the "peace of the brave."
He asserted that the Israeli Occupation and colonisation of the Palestinian land is totally illegal and should be ended.
President reiterated that Jerusalem is the permanent capital of the Palestinian state, asserting that its annexation is illegal and should be ended.
Abbas highlighted that peace and security would never be achieved as long as the Israeli occupation, colonisation and annexing Jerusalem continues.
He affirmed that if Israel looks for peace it should implement the resolutions of the international legitimacy, to withdraw from the Palestinian and Arab territories occupied in 1967 and to recognise the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.
"We chose the path of peace and negotiations and accepted the resolutions of the international legitimacy, the President Bush’s vision for ending the Israeli occupation began in 1967, the Road Map and the Arab Peace Initiative (2002), and we unilaterally initiated the truce and welcomed an active role for the Quartet Committee. But the Israeli Government ignores the chances, neglects setting around the table of negotiations and intensifies its occupation, colonisation and incursions into our lands," President Abbas said.
He mentioned to the massacre of Beit Hanoun, asserting that what happened in Beit Hanoun is a strong sample of the Israeli policy towards the Palestinian people.
He said that the Israelis every day and every everywhere in Palestninian territory practices indiscriminate killing, destruction of houses and economy and siege.
Abbas sent a message to the Palestinian people in exile (USA, Europe, Asia, Arab Countries . . . etc) that the right of return of the Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and homeland is protected and supported by the international legitimacy.
He reiterated that the issue of the refugees is an issue of "homeland and identity", thus "we" refused all projects of settling the Palestinian refugees down in any country.
President highlighted the issue of more than 1000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, asserting that it is impossible to achieve peace while the prisoners, including lawmakers, ministers and mayors, are imprisoned.
President Abbas, called on "brothers and friends" to support the Palestinian people and to end the siege and the boycott imposed on them eight months ago.
He also called them to pressurise the Israeli Government to set for negotiations and to end its occupation.
President abbas concluded his speech by announcing the establishment of the "Yasser Arafat Benevolent Association" , which would collect and protect the heritage of President Arafat and to carry out charity projects in education and culture.
For nearly half a century, the late Leader Yasser Arafat was the symbol of Palestinian nationalism and a heroic freedom fighter who symbolized the national aspirations of the Palestinian people.
The old man Abu Rasheed Farouq 63, has been keeping a big portrait for the late leader Yasser Arafat in his house, where he often gazes at it as life becomes too difficult after two years of passing away the great leader.
" Two years elapsed on the passing away of Abu Ammar and I don’t believe that, we always remember him and I do wish he is living with us. We need him", Abu Rasheed said.
Palestinians at home and in exile commemorate today the second anniversary of passing away the immortal leader who sacrifices himself for the sake of freedom and independence. His life was a continued history of struggle and strife that founded a new and modern history for Palestine.
"The Palestinian cause, through his period, becomes an international symbol for justice and peace", Abu Ahmad said.
Mohamme Khalaf, an academic at al-Azhar, said, as he was lightening a candle at the Anonymous Soldier Square in Gaza city, that "Arafat’s body had gun but his spirit is living among us and he paved for us a way for freedom and establishment of an independent state. He was a historic leader, our teacher and a symbol of our national struggle".
Arafat, however, was a controversial and polarizing figure throughout his lengthy career and he wore his kaffiyeh in a unique fashion, draped over his shoulder in the shape of Palestine. His kaffiyeh becomes a tradition and a symbol for all Palestinians.
Faraj Abu Suhaib 38, said that " Arafat was the first advocate for peace in the region and he was always urging countries in the world to seriously advance towards the peace process. He lost his life because he adhered to peace and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people".
In fact, Arafat was a man who produced dignity, resilience, who himself lived a very austere life in parallel with the way many Palestinians live. He gave the Palestinian people hope and that is really the the difficulty of losing him.