Today marks the 61st anniversary of the creation of Israel. Palestinians around the world commemorate its establishment as Al Nakba, or "the catastrophe." Israel's foundation for them meant the dispossession of hundreds of thousands of refugees. This began the largest, long-term refugee population in the world. Thousands of Palestinians marched through cities across the West Bank yesterday. They carried flags, large wooden keys and images of villages razed by Zionist military forces in 1947 and 1948.
The keys symbolize the homes the Palestinians lost when Israel came to be. Many refugees still hope to return one day. "I came here to show that we believe that one day we will return. If not me, then my son," said Mohammad Hassan, 79.
In Ramallah, demonstrators waved banners reading, "The right of return is sacred," and "Return, Jerusalem And Self-Determination: Our Struggle Will Continue." They gathered at the tomb of Yasser Arafat, the late Palestinian leader.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas marked Al Nakba's anniversary by stating in a televised speech that ending the Israeli occupation, establishing a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and resolving the refugee issue, are minimum conditions to begin to lift the injustice inflicted on the Palestinian people 61 years ago.
"We are here, we will stay here, we are rooted in this land," Abbas said, "We will remain steadfast and will remain determined to end this atrocious occupation."
Israel announced a security blockade today. It will halt West Bank traffic into Jerusalem, making public commemorations in the city more difficult to attend.
Palestinian citizens of Israel are also planning Al Nakba events. Akka residents will hold a Nakba parade tonight with the slogan "not another Nakba."
Ahmed Awada, who is also a municipal councilor, said "One of the objectives of Hadash members and Arab residents of the city is to communicate to our youths, to the members of the new generation, that they must never forget what happened to our forefathers in 1948."
Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, and his Yisrael Beiteinu Party, are seeking a legal ban on Palestinian citizens marking Al Nakba day. "The draft law is intended to strengthen unity in the state of Israel and to ban marking Independence Day as a day of mourning," said party spokesman Tal Nahum.
Hamas, according to Fateh, barred Fateh's planned commemorations in Gaza. Hamas legislator, Mosheer Al Masry, said it was to ensure security in the Gaza Strip, and Hamas “wants to prevent lawless acts planned by Fateh members in coordination with their leadership in Ramallah."
Other events in Gaza took place, such as one gathering in Beit Hanoun. It was organized by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Tents were erected in the place ornamented by Palestinian flags, as national songs played.As Xinhua reported on the event and featured some of the participants,
Fatima Khrawat, a 72-year-old woman who still clearly remembers the Nakba Day, put on her village traditional gown. She said "I came here to say that we still dream to return back to our homes."Palestinians in the United States also are holding events. For instance, Palestinians in Minnesota are gathering this evening.
She said she was 12 in the Nakba, and "it was a miracle that my family and I survived."
"We all escaped from our village Herebia (near Ashkelon) walking on foot under the heat of the summer sun after the Israeli forces stormed the village and killed many of its residents," said Khrawat as she sat down with her grandchildren.
She added that what happened in 1948 "was not only a Nakba (catastrophe), but it was also a real ethnic uprooting and a real crime. I remember this and all our people will never forget."
HEADLINES
Study: Jewish, Palestinian populations to even out by '16 (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Pope wraps up Holy Land pilgrimage (AFP)
TEXT-Pope's speech concluding Middle East tour (Reuters)
Pope to Israel: Wall 'one of the saddest sights during my visit' (Ma'an News)
Netanyahu sees Abdullah in prelude to Obama talks (Washington Post)
Israel: U.S. will know before any Iran strike (Ha'aretz)
Palestine and the Palestinians
Amira Hass: Life among the ruins in Gaza (Ha'aretz)
Fifth round of unity talks Saturday (IMEMC)
'Last chance' for Palestinian talks (Al-Jazeera)
Abbas visit to Syria boycotted by Hamas (The National)
For first time in 20 years, Palestinian members can vote for Fatah leaders (World Tribune)
PCHR Weekly Report: 5 Palestinians injured by Israeli forces this week (International Middle East Media Center)
VIDEO: Riz Khan - The future of US-Israeli relations (Al-Jazeera)
VIDEO: Palestinian child pays price of Israel's siege (Al Jazeera)
'We Are the Forgotten Church,' Say Palestinian Pastors (International Christian Concern)
Israel
poll: Netanyahu just as bad as Olmert, if not worse (Ha'aretz)
'Israel's PR appeal isn't lost, it just needs a new label' (Ha'aretz)
Israel must face up to injustices of 1948: MP (ABC Online)
The Neighbors
Egypt finds massive arms cache along Israel border (Ha'aretz)
US Foreign Policy
U.S. officials: Two states for two peoples is not an empty slogan (Ha'aretz)
Israeli Leader to Meet Obama as US Priorities Shift (New York Times)
CIA Chief's Secret Mission: Warn Israel Against Surprise Attack On Iran (The Huffington Post)
International Relations/Law
UN workers end Jordan strike (AFP)
Blair calls for Palestinian state (United Press International)
Blair Sees 'Moment of Opportunity' for Middle East Peace (Voice of America)
Netanyahu urges pope to reject Iran's anti-Israel rhetoric (Jerusalem Post)
Activism
Israeli organizations call on Norway to divest from the Israeli Occupation (ISM)
Misc.
US judge OKs $116M ruling in deadly terror attack (The Associated Press)
Commentary
Saleh Al-Naami: Contradictory messages (Al-Ahram Weekly)
Barry Rubin: Israel Seeks Justice; AP Makes Propaganda (RubinReports)
Michael Petrou: Israel’s “Ultimate Mission” in bad propaganda (MacLean's)
I was born Palestinian (The Palestine Telegraph)
Alon Ben-Meir: Obama's Two-State Challenge (Huffington Post)
Views expressed on this post or on linked web pages do not represent the Palestine Center, the educational program of the Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. All content is for educational purposes only.
