Jewish Settlers Reach out in Meeting with Yasser Arafat

A group of Jewish settlers met secretly with Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat this week to discuss tolerance and joint business projects.

During the 90-minute meeting in Bethlehem, Arafat welcomed the participants and stressed that the recognition of Palestinian rights was the only way to peaceful coexistence.

“There have always been Jews among us and we have lived as good neighbors,” he was quoted as saying. “While we spoke mainly about economic dialogue, this depends on recognition of the political rights of the Palestinian people.”

David Bedein, a resident of Efrat who participated in the meeting, said it was prompted by an interest in tourism and business on both sides.

He said many Palestinians in the business community who had been approached by their Jewish counterparts were unwilling to pursue contacts without the go- ahead from Arafat.

Bedein said it made sense for Jews and Palestinians to work together in tourism, especially in areas between Bethlehem and Hebron, which have numerous Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites.

The meeting also addressed political issues, Bedein said.

He said the group of settlers, which included residents from Hebron and Kiryat Arba, asked, “When will he say something in favor of the peace process,” given “all the incitement he has expressed to the Arab public?”

He added that regardless of the difficulties in the political process, he believed that economic ties could flourish.

“You can do business with your neighbor, even if you hate your neighbor,” he told Israel Radio.

Among those who attended the meeting was Yehuda Wachsman, whose son Nachshon was kidnapped and killed by members of the Islamic fundamentalist Hamas movement two years ago.

Wachsman said he sought Arafat’s support in establishing a center to teach tolerance among Jews and Arabs.

“I described the plan for the center, and offered to include the Palestinian Authority,” he said.