The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy, (MIFTAH) mourns with a great sense of loss and sadness the passing away of President Yasser Arafat (Abu Ammar), Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

President Arafat died at Percy Military Hospital in the French capital Paris at approximately 3:30 a.m. local time (4:30 a.m. Palestine time) after two weeks of his abrupt departure from Ramallah in the West Bank on October 29th 2004.

Abu Ammar, the father of the Palestinian nation, embodied the Palestinian struggle against Israel’s colonialism of Palestine through decades of perseverance, determination, dignity, and an unwavering will to survive. His legacy will echo through history as the leader who never parted from his people, the fighter who never lost his humanity, and the oppressed Palestinian who never succumbed.

At this critical juncture in our history, our struggle for liberation must be sustained. While Abu Ammar’s passing is a tragic loss to the entire Palestinian nation, his legacy and his mission will continue through the hearts, minds, and voices of all Palestinians who seek a just solution to the Palestinian-Zionist conflict.

With a heavy heart, MIFTAH conveys its condolences to the family of President Arafat, his greater family the Palestinian nation, and all supporters of the Palestinian cause. We shall cherish the memory of your generous smile and pledge to you that “the mountain shall never be shaken by the wind.” (Arafat’s infamous saying).