Palestinian Gov’t Announces Days Off for Arafat Death Anniversary, Independence Day

Ramallah, 09 Safar 1438/09 November 2016 (MINA) – The Palestinian government announced on Tuesday a half-day workday on Thursday to allow Palestinians to participate in events commemorating 12 years since the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

It also announced an official holiday next Tuesday marking 28 years for the Palestinian declaration of independence Arafat had announced in Algiers on November 15, 1988, WAFA reported.

Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah called in the weekly cabinet meeting held in Ramallah on the Palestinian people to participate in the central rally that will be held in Ramallah on Thursday commemorating the death of Arafat, founder of Fatah movement and leader of the Palestinian struggle for national liberation.

Arafat died on November 11, 2004 at a French military hospital where he was flown in a hurry following deterioration on his health after three months of Israeli military siege on his Ramallah headquarters.

Meanwhile, President Mahmoud Abbas will officially inaugurate on Wednesday the Yasser Arafat Museum built in the Ramallah presidential headquarters, the Muqata, next to the Arafat burial site.

The museum tells the story of the life and death of Arafat and his struggle for national independence.

It is also connected by a bridge to Arafat’s office and command center, the only building the Israeli military had left intact after demolishing all other buildings in the Muqata during the three months of the Israeli military siege in the spring of 2004.

The museum, spearheaded by the Yasser Arafat Foundation, will be open to the public starting Thursday. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA