In today's "Maariv International":
... In response to a request of several dozen Israeli left wing activists, the Palestinian leader's chief financial advisor, Mohammad Rashid, told al-Arabiya television this afternoon that Israelis who wish to attend Arafat's burial ceremony should be allowed to do so. According to Gush Shalom spokesman, Adam Keller, among those who would participate are Uri Avneri, Teddy Katz the historian, Yitzhak Frenkeltal from the Forum of Bereaved Parents for Peace and former Jerusalem City Council member Meir Margalit.
Frenkental, whose son was murdered in 1994 while serving in the IDF, told NRG Maariv, "I asked to take part in Arafat's funeral because I think it would contribute to an Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and express empathy towards the Palestinian people. Arafat is no longer alive and the gesture is towards the Palestinian people. I am sure many Israelis sympathize with the Palestinians today. I met Arafat many times and saw in him a man who wanted to reach a long-lasting peace. But again, I say, there was no partner on the Israeli side". |