GAZA STRIP: NELSON MANDELA VISITS YASSER ARAFAT

(19 Oct 1999) Natural Sound
South African President Nelson Mandela has arrived in Gaza where he is wrapping up his Mideast tour with a visit to a man he called his "old friend" - Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
Mandela is using this tour to try his hand at Middle East peace diplomacy.
Mandela arrived on Tuesday at Gaza International Airport where he was greeted heatedly by the Palestinian leader.
Yasser Arafat and Mandela supported each other's struggles for self-determination for years.
Arafat kissed the former South African President on the forehead when he arrived.
Mandela retired from the South African presidency in June and is touring the region as a private citizen but with guaranteed access to each of the leaders of the region.
The airport was lined with children who held up signs reading "We have a common dream - a free land."
Children danced and performed for the former South African President.
Earlier on Tuesday Mandela met Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy.
This is the second day of Mandela's visit to Israel and the Palestinian Autonomy.
In the times of hard-line Israeli governments, Mandela's close ties with Arafat would have made it impossible for the former apartheid prisoner to visit Israel.
Israel had backed the apartheid state.
Although Mandela chided Israel for its support of apartheid, including weapons sales and military training, he said he had formed "warm friendships" with Israeli leaders on his two-day trip.
On Monday the former South African President told the people of Israel that they should back their Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, in his quest for peace in the Middle East.
Prior to this leg of his tour, Mandela visited Syria and Iran.
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[@omarkanaan978]

Nelson Mandela and Yasser Arafat are comarade in arms

[@MrHarryc727]

I am so humbled by the truth.

[@lolipeppaislandgirl]

Omg what a beautiful moment 😊

[@mahashivyoga]

Brothers in Arms

[@mrbumbleclatful]

two legends of peace ✌

[@rachidtahri5204]

the new stadium in Algeria named after nilson mendela

[@jibrilibrahimndirangu3903]

may Allah bless palestine

[@fernandodavidbrisenohernan7017]

Qué el espíritu de Nelson Mandela lleve a la Victoria a los Abogados sudafricanos de los Derechos Humanos en la Corté Internacional, a favor de Palestina.

[@dommovedchannels6268]

Allah blesses Johannesburg!

[@truebeliever786]

Long live Palestine!!

[@strawbee7709]

I came here while mourning Fidel Castro

[@muhammad_soa]

Same here comrade

[@mohammadabuelhawa2058]

So what are you telling me we are mourning Venezuela's Maduro

[@TD1237]

He was a great man

[@fdama]

Gaza had an airport???

[@tibiv.2293]

الطرطور عرفات ابن حارة اليهود بالقاهره بالمال الخليجي و الدعايه الاعلاميه الامريكيه صار زعيم

[@caseyjason-ws3fr]

Gaza was really beautiful,Hamas really messed it up like serious.

[@syedasifhussain2074]

Bruh what about the Israeli airstrikes???

[@TD1237]

lsroiI did that

[@shrazi516]

IsraHELL messed it up since back so many years