Arafat condemns Israeli settlers’ attack on Armenian archbishop

Arafat condemns Israeli settlers’ attack on Armenian archbishop

Palestinian news agency Wafa web site, Gaza
10 Oct 04

to inquire about his health following an attack on him by Israeli
settlers” published by Palestinian news agency Wafa web site

Ramallah, 10 October: Yasir Arafat, PLO Executive Committee chairman
and Palestinian National Authority president, this evening held
a telephone conversation with Deputy Armenian Patriarch Archbishop
Nurhan to inquire about his health following a sinful attack on him by
a group of Israeli settlers this morning. The archbishop was assailed
as he was leading the religious procession of the Orthodox Armenians.

During the telephone conversation, the president stressed his
condemnation of this act, which is in violation of all traditions
and conventions and is a serious infringement upon the freedom of
worship and a continuation of the Israeli policy of encroaching upon
the freedom of worship and the Christian and Islamic shrines.

A group of settlers assailed the religious procession of the Orthodox
Armenians this morning. The procession set off from the Armenian
Patriarchate and passed through Hebron Gate and Suwayqiyat Allun to
reach the Christian neighbourhood where a mass was to be held at the
Church of Holy Sepulchre in the holy city of Jerusalem. They ripped
the cross off the archbishop’s chest, slapped him and threw his mitre
on the ground in an extremely aggressive way that showed disrespect
for men of religion.