Christians Sunday, September 22, that he hopes some day the world will see more than Israel’s military.
However he warned that Israel "would never compromise its existence or its security" at a time of suicide bombings that killed at least 7 people in recent days.
Sharon spoke 16 kilometres (10 miles) away from Ramallah in the International Convention Center Jerusalem, where about 3,500 Christians from around the world attended the Feast of Tabernacles of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ).
The Prime Minister arrived as Israeli forces halted the demolition of Arafat’s headquarters, after destroying nearly every building in the compound within a period of three days.
PRESSURE
News reports said the decision to end the operation followed pressure from the United States, Russia, Europe and Arab countries, but Sharon suggested there were other reasons too.
"Israel is a peace-seeking country. Kindergarten children, the first word they learn is ‘shalom,’ peace," the ICEJ News Service quoted him as saying. "Because we want peace, we are ready to make painful compromises." Sharon added.
The Prime Minister stressed that "Arafat caused all that suffering not only to us, but also to his own people," the ICEJ News Service reported. He thanked Christians for showing solidarity with his nation.
FRIENDSHIP
"We are having hard days and I also had some worries, but when I saw your friendship I lost all my worries," Sharon said. "Walking here, I heard many times and many people said, ‘We love you. We love Israel.’ May I tell you – we love you!"
Sharon, who was reportedly welcomed with a thunderous and standing ovation, took time to thank U.S. President George W. Bush and leaders of other countries who are pursuing a war on terrorism.
"We are facing a war that has been imposed upon us by the Palestinians," he explained. "Palestinian terror led by the Palestinian Authority took civilians as targets. They believe that they will break our nation, but they failed."
BOMBINGS
Some Palestinian officials have however condemned suicide bombings, saying the attacks gives "Israel an excuse to kill more Palestinian civilians."
In addition Palestinian Christians and missionary workers in West Bank territories have urged believers not to forget them and warned that Sharon’s policies will lead to more tensions.
However Malcolm Hedding, the ICEJ executive director, who welcomed the prime minister, made clear that thousands of Christians ascended to Jerusalem first of all to express solidarity with Israel and outrage at the terror against Israelis.
LOVE
"Sir, these people love you and your nation," Hedding said, according to the ICEJ News Service. "From four corners of the earth they pray for Israel, they stand for Israel."
More than 60 countries are represented at this year’s week-long Feast of Tabernacles, according to organizers.
