The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate this week awarded its Golden Peace Prize to Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres at a ceremony on the Mount of Olives.
The award was bestowed upon the two leaders for their efforts to advance to peace process. Jordan’s King Hussein and Crown Prince Hassan as well as Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat were given awards in separate ceremonies.
The Mount of Olives ceremony took place despite Palestinian opposition. Palestinians objected to the ceremony being held at the residence of Diodorus I, in eastern Jerusalem, saying it conveyed a political message.
They had also requested that Arafat receive his prize in Jerusalem, instead of at a ceremony in Gaza.
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