Yasser Arafat departed Ramallah this morning for the first time in well over five months. He flew by helicopter to Bethlehem, where he visited the Church of the Nativity. It should be noted that clergymen of the Greek Orthodox Church fell with tears of joy and thanks upon the Israeli soldiers last week at the end of the 39-day siege around the church. One was quoted on CNN as saying that church leaders would not publicize all the Arab damage and vandalism done to the church, as \"Bethlehem is mostly a Palestinian [Arab] city, and we have to live here with them.\"
Only 350 people came to greet Arafat, many less than had been expected. Arafat then flew to Jenin and Shechem, using two helicopters put at his disposal by Jordan. Arafat\'s popularity is in decline, following the Mukata and Church agreements. Much criticism is also being leveled at the PA and its offices by the Arab public in Judea and Samaria, as well as demands for changes - such as a Prime Minister to work alongside Arafat.
Only 350 people came to greet Arafat, many less than had been expected. Arafat then flew to Jenin and Shechem, using two helicopters put at his disposal by Jordan. Arafat\'s popularity is in decline, following the Mukata and Church agreements. Much criticism is also being leveled at the PA and its offices by the Arab public in Judea and Samaria, as well as demands for changes - such as a Prime Minister to work alongside Arafat.