Military

DATE=9/12/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-S TERROR / PALESTINIANS (L-O)

NUMBER=2-280394

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A group of Palestinians gathered Wednesday afternoon in front of the U-S consulate in East Jerusalem to light candles of condolence and show solidarity with American victims of terrorism. Correspondent Laurie Kassman was there and files this report.

TEXT: Youngsters stand silently, holding flowers and hand-made signs of condolence. They place candles on the pavement in front of the U-S consulate to show their solidarity with Americans grieving for victims of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

Abdel Kader Husseini, son of the respected Palestinian leader Faisel Husseini, who passed away in June, was there too.

/// HUSSEINI ACT ///

I want to say to the American people that we grieve with you. We feel your pain. We are very sad for what happened. We are against it.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Husseini echoes the sentiments of others who also have gathered in front of the U-S consulate to counter reports that Palestinians were celebrating or were linked to the terrorist attacks.

Siham has recently arrived in Jerusalem. Most of her family is still in the United States. She remembers the backlash against Arabs after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing before it was discovered that an American had carried out the attack.

/// SIHAM ACT ///

I'm afraid for my family. I'm afraid for my friends in the States because I lived through the backlash of the Oklahoma City bombing and I know what happens. I know what happens when the media continues to report things that are inaccurate before they receive full information.

/// END ACT ///

Another demonstrator, Mahdi Abdl Hadi, who runs a nearby research center, cannot understand who would perpetrate such horror.

/// ABDL HADI ACT ///

People are in despair, nameless faceless fanatics in despair and they have messages nobody can understand or realize and (they are) underestimating people's life, underestimating the value of humankind. This is shocking.

/// END ACT ///

Similar vigils by Israelis are being held in other parts of the city. Israel's government has declared a national day of mourning and flags across the country are flying at half-mast. (Signed)

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