Arafat's decision to arrive in the Gaza Strip on Friday afternoon, before the onset of the Sabbath, came in response to an appeal by Israel's chief Sephardic rabbi, Eliahu Bakshi-Doron, said the Arafat aide, Ahmed Tibi.
The rabbi had said earlier Thursday that Arafat would be insulting the religious feelings of observant Jews if he began his visit on the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest that starts sundown Friday and ends Saturday night.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.