Catholic Voices Online Edition

Two Christian Brothers recall Arafat as a seeker of peace for Palestinians

By Barbara Erickson - Associate editor
http://www.catholicvoiceoakland.org/Archives/Archive112204.html#Front1
22 November 2004

The Yasser Arafat they knew was not the demon portrayed in many media reports. He was in search of a peaceful end to the Palestinian conflict, he cared about the welfare of his people, and he felt an immense debt to Pope John Paul II and the Holy See.

Christian Brothers Ron Gallagher and Donald Mansir, now at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, agree that Arafat, who died Nov. 11 at the age of 75, failed in some respects as a leader of the Palestinian cause for independence, but, they say, he struggled to create a stable, nonviolent society in his homeland.

“He wasn’t the most prudent man in the world,” said Brother Mansir, who met Arafat several times from 1991 to 1995, when he was vice president of the Pontifical Mission for Palestine, “but he wasn’t the monster he’s been made out to be.”

He and Brother Gallagher both recall Arafat’s desire to find a negotiated end to the conflict with Israel. “He wanted a civil society that wasn’t in rebellion all the time,” said Brother Gallagher, who served as vice chancellor of Bethlehem University from 1993 to 1997.

Arafat had learned from the 1973 war with Israel, Brother Mansir said, that there could be no military solution to the conflict, that a two-state solution based on United Nations resolutions was the only avenue to Palestinian independence. “He really was trying to find ways to revitalize the peace process,” he said.

But as the years passed, he grew tired and discouraged, according to the two Christian Brothers. “He was a sad man, always really, really sad,” said Brother Mansir, “while he continued to hope for a solution.”

“As time went on,” Brother Gallagher said, “he became more and more tired. The last time I saw him he seemed almost dazed by what was happening around him. In 1997 he was more distracted, he looked weaker, he was less attentive and bright.”

American opposition added to his frustration, Brother Mansir said. “I think he felt – and I agree – that the Israelis and the Palestinians were not treated the same way by the Americans. There seemed to be two different standards. It only frustrated him all the more.”

But Arafat told both men that he was grateful for Vatican support. “He said he was personally indebted to the Pope,” Brother Gallagher said. “He said the Pope was the first international leader to recognize the rights of the Palestinians publicly.”

Arafat had a great respect for the work the Holy See has done for Palestinians over the past 50 years, Brother Mansir said. “He was truly appreciative to the Catholic Church,” he said. “It wasn’t just a nice thing to say.”

Brother Mansir, who was responsible for Vatican humanitarian efforts in the Middle East, said the Church in turn was “grateful for that acknowledgement,” and he believes the support it has given to Palestinians has improved relations between Christians and Muslims.

One of the greatest contributions the Church made, he said, was the establishment of Bethlehem University in 1973.

“(Arafat) wasn’t the best diplomat in the world, and I think that sometimes he was his own worst enemy,” Brother Mansir said, “but he has to be praised for holding the Palestinians together. No other stateless group has kept its identity as long as the Palestinians.”

Brother Gallagher agreed, saying that Arafat was a “tribal leader,” someone who forged close relationships with his people though he was unable to always govern effectively.

He was “a very engaging man,” Brother Mansir said. “He always hugged and kissed and made you feel at home. He treated people he’d just met as if he knew them for a long time.”

But in spite of his success in forging an identity for stateless Palestinians, Brother Mansir said, Arafat failed to prepare new leaders to take his place.
“He held too much authority himself. He trusted fewer and fewer people. I think it’s a mistake for someone to hold that much power because you’re not developing a talented leadership.”

Both men spoke of the media attacks on Arafat. “There were other sides to him that never come out in the media,” Brother Gallagher said. He was charged with supporting terrorist attacks, but Brother Mansir said, he actually wanted “consistent nonviolent resistance” to the Israeli occupation. “He’s accused of being in control of everything and he wasn’t,” Brother Gallagher said.

In the U.S. press, Brother Mansir said, Arafat “was certainly the object of character assassination.” This media campaign, he said, was “much more damaging than shooting Arafat. And it’s worked.” As a result, many believe Arafat was a monster and Palestinians are terrorists.

“I lived and worked there for 10 years,” Brother Mansir said, “and I don’t think that’s true.” While some have resorted to violence, the stereotype is false. He found Palestinians to be among the kindest and most hospitable people he’s met.

Although Arafat had has fervent followers and gave visibility to the Palestinian cause, Brother Mansir said, his death may have created a window of opportunity to bring forth new leadership. “Bush made it clear he didn’t like Arafat,” he said. “Now maybe he will be serious about resurrecting the peace process.”