The Ecumenical Patriarchate expresses its sympathy over the death of Yasser Arafat, the leader of the Palestinian National Authority and Palestinian people, who dedicated his entire life toward the dream of a Palestinian State. He worked tirelessly for the progress of the Palestinians and peace in the Middle East. While doing so, he not only respected the Muslim, but also the Christian shrines in the Holy Lands, something, for which we will always remain grateful.
The dream for peace in the Middle East was not realized in Yasser Arafat’s lifetime, but it is a dream that must be kept alive by the rest of the world, as we keep it always in our prayers.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate makes a plea to whoever is able to contribute to a peaceful resolution in the Holy Lands that they do so immediately, reminding everyone that a basic prerequisite for this is the respect for the sanctity of the human person, his freedom and dignity. Only when this is achieved can there be a peaceful co-existence of all human beings on Earth in the love of God.
At the Patriarchate, 12 November 2004
From the Chief Secretariat of the Holy and Sacred Synod
