Arafat Bids Israel Happy New Year, Says He Seeks Talks
Yasser Arafat today wished Israel a happy, peaceful Jewish new year and said he was willing to meet Israeli government representatives at the United Nations.
On the occasion of Rosh Hashanah, the Palestine Liberation Organization leader greeted Israel, saying “Shana Tova,” which means Happy New Year in Hebrew. He said he would talk with Israeli diplomats “if they were willing.”
In Jerusalem, the Israeli government called the greeting a political relations stunt that should not be taken seriously.
“When I say ‘Shana Tova,’ I mean . . . in particular a peaceful new year. A peaceful new year for all our children, all our peoples, for the whole of the Middle East,” Arafat said, speaking in Arabic in response to a question by Israeli peace activist Abie Nathan at a news conference.
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