Arafat's passing marked by Ramallah rally

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- The second anniversary of former Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's death was observed Saturday with a large rally in Ramallah.

Thousands of Palestinians gathered in the city's Muqata compound where President Mahmoud Abbas was to deliver the keynotes speech.

YNetNews reported that Arafat is missed by everyday Palestinians, many of whom believe the security situation and relations with Israel would be different today if he were still alive, and that Israel missed the boat when it failed to negotiate a lasting deal with Arafat.

Israeli peace activists and Arab Knesset members were among the dignitaries attending Saturday's event.