Palestinians in Bethlehem weep at passing of longtime leader Arafat

Published: 2004-11-11

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) -- Although the news was not unexpected, Palestinians wept upon hearing that their longtime leader, Yasser Arafat, had died. "At 6:30 a.m. we turned on the radio and heard that Arafat had died," said Yowakim Elias Hadwa, 19, a Greek Orthodox student at Catholic-run Bethlehem University. "I cried, my whole family cried. We don't know what the future will bring, but we hope it will be quiet and peaceful. There is no one who can replace Arafat," he said Nov. 11 as he and two friends walked the empty streets of neighboring Beit Jalla. Schools and shops in Bethlehem were closed after a three-day strike; a 40-day period of mourning was announced. Only pharmacies and a few bakeries remained open. Villagers came early to sell their produce, then returned home. Two black banners hung over the closed gate of the Bethlehem University campus, and a Palestinian flag stood at half-staff. Passages from the Quran and prayers were read over mosque loudspeakers. Arafat died early Nov. 11.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .