Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has pledged to continue Yasser Arafat's struggle to gain a foothold in Jerusalem, while thousands of Palestinians have marked the first anniversary of his death. "I renew the pledge to continue on the path that he started and exert whatever efforts are needed to raise the flag of Palestine on the walls, the minarets and the churches of Jerusalem," Abbas said at a rally in Arafat's old Ram Allah compound on Friday. Abbas, Arafat's successor, led a rally attended by top officials from major factions and a handful of foreign diplomats in honour of Arafat, who died aged 75 having failed to realise his dream of a Palestinian state. The focus of the official commemoration was Arafat's old West Bank headquarters where he spent his final years isolated and encircled by the Israeli army. Abbas, like many in the crowd, wore the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarf that became Arafat's trademark. Pictures of Arafat were held by many in the crowd. Abbas earlier laid the foundation stone for a new mausoleum complex while Quranic verses were broadcast over loudspeakers.
Many shops in West Bank cities stayed closed, with portraits of Arafat adorning their shutters. Smaller ceremonies were held in Bethlehem and Hebron. In the Gaza Strip, a low-key memorial gathering was held on Thursday night. Officials laid the cornerstone of a museum that will be dedicated to Arafat in his compound, and will display some of his personal effects.