Text: Arafat to Hebron Delegation: Jihad, jihad, jihad, jihad, jihad!
[Applause]
[with thanks to MidEastweb http://www.mideastweb.org

[IMRA: "Jihad" in the context of Arafat's remarks is not a program to
improve one's lot through earnest cultural and educational nonviolent self
improvement activities.]

Gaza TV: Arafat Addresses Hebron Delegation, Notes People Opt for 'Jihad'
GMP20020128000198 Gaza Palestine Satellite Channel Television in Arabic 1700
GMT 26 Jan 02

[Announcer-read report over video]

[FBIS Translated Text]
President Yasir Arafat has stressed that we would march side by side and
together until we reach holy Jerusalem, the capital of the Palestinian
state. Addressing a popular delegation from the Hebron Governorate that
came to express solidarity with his excellency and reiterate loyalty to him,
the president said: God willing, and despite Sharon's arrogance, we will
have a meeting like this one in holy Jerusalem. The president praised the
steadfastness of our people in Hebron, who are not only defending Hebron,
but everywhere in this homeland. He also praised the steadfastness of our
people in Jerusalem, who are maintaining its Arabism.

[Begin Arafat recording] And we wished to be gracious to those who were
being depressed in the land, to make them leaders (in faith) and make them
the heirs [Koranic verse]. Brothers, beloved ones: I thank you from the
bottom of my heart. You are showing heroic and legendary steadfastness in
Hebron. It is a splendid legendary steadfastness, which we respect and
glorify. It is an example for us, the people of exceeding strength, who
are defending the first qiblah and the third holiest place, the place to
which Prophet Muhammad, God's peace and prayers be upon him, made his night
journey, and the cradle of Jesus Christ, peace be upon him.

This is our destiny, brothers. This is our destiny. They will be ready
to defend this land until the Day of Judgment. Their martyr equals 70
martyrs. [reference to a saying by Prophet Muhammad] [Words indistinct]
This is our destiny, brothers. This is a grace from God that we we will
defend this land until the Day of Judgment. They [the prophet's
companions] said: Apostle of God, where and who are those people? He said:
In Bayt al-Maqdis [Jerusalem] and around Bayt al-Maqdis. They will defend
it until the Day of Judgment. Yes, brothers, we are sticking to this land.
We are in the land of steadfastness. Our heroic martyrs, represented by
Faris Awdah, who was martyred [applause] while carrying a stone to throw it
at an Israeli tank [words indistinct]. [chants of "With our souls and
blood we redeem you, O Abu-Ammar"; Arafat asks them to chant "with our
souls and blood we redeem you, O Palestine" and repeats it three times]

Yes, brothers, with our souls and blood we redeem you, O Palestine.
This is the decision of the people of exceeding strength. This is a sacred
bond. We are up to this duty. You know I am saying this because I know
our people. I know what it means that in the midst of this economic (?not
only military) crisis [words indistinct], yet none of them complained.
However, they said: God is great! Glory to God and his prophet! Jihad,
jihad, jihad, jihad, jihad! [Appluase]

We take pride in my brothers the people of Hebron, who do not [words
indistinct]. They defend all parts of the homeland, especially those holding
fast in holy Jerusalem, holy Jerusalem, holy Jerusalem [applause]. This is
what has maintained the Arabism of Jerusalem, the steadfastness of
Jerusalem, and the steadfastness of the people of Jerusalem. We are
defending this land until the Day of Judgment. You are the people of [word
indistinct] in this land of steadfastness, in holy Jerusalem and the
peripheries of Jerusalem. They will be defend it until the Day of
Judgment.

We are not defending Palestine as Palestinians. Rather, we are
defending it on behalf of the Arab nation, the Islamic nation, and the
Christians of the world, based on [Muslim Caliph] Umar's covenant.

Yes, this is our mission. It is a huge one, but our shoulders are huge
enough to carry it [applause]. God willing, God willing, whether they like
it or, we will have a meeting like this in holy Jerusalem, in holy
Jerusalem, in holy Jerusalem [applause].

God willing, a boy and a girl will raise the flag of Palestine over the
walls of Jerusalem, the churches of Jerusalem, and minarets of Jerusalem.

They see the day indeed as a far-off event, but we see it quite near.
[part of Koranic verse] Indeed we are telling the truth. And to enter your
temple as they had entered it before [part of Koranic verse]. God does not
break His promises. God does not break His promises. Brothers, we will
march together and side by side until we reach Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
Jerusalem [applause]. [End recording]

[Description of Source: Gaza Palestine Satellite Channel Television in
Arabic -- Official television station of the Palestinian Authority]