AFP –Palestinians attend a rally marking the 61st anniversary of the Naqba in Nablus. Thousands of Palestinians marked the 61st anniversary of the Naqba, the "catastrophe" that sparked an exodus of hundreds of thousands of refugees after Israel was created in 1948. (AFP/Jaafar Ashtiyeh) by Hossam Ezzedine Hossam Ezzedine
"RAMALLAH, West Bank (AFP) – Thousands of Palestinians on Thursday marked the 61st anniversary of the Naqba, the "catastrophe" that sparked an exodus of hundreds of thousands of refugees after Israel was created in 1948.
Holding Palestinian flags and photos of Arab villages razed by Israeli forces six decades ago, demonstrators marched in the centre of Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
"The right of return is sacred", "No peace without the right of return", proclaimed banners held by the marchers.
The ceremonies took place a day early, because this year the May 15 anniversary of the Naqba falls on a Friday, a day off in the mostly Muslim Palestinian territories.
The demonstration was headed by political figures and religious leaders and began at the tomb of legendary Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat at the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority, today run by his successor, president Mahmud Abbas.
In the northern West Bank town of Nablus, about 2,000 people participated in a march, holding Palestinian flags tied with black ribbons as a sign of mourning.
In Aqabet Jaber refugee camp, in the oasis town of Jericho, participants unveiled a statue featuring a six-metre (20-foot) metallic key, symbolising the refugees' attachment to the houses from which they fled or were forced out in 1948.
Around 700,000 people were exiled in this way in 1948, with the United Nations estimating that today they and their descendants number 4.6 million."
Marking Nakba day by Palestinians under Israel threat: Israeli FM's party wants a ban on the event and a jail term for Palestinians
Thursday, 14 May 2009 16:50
The ultranationalist Yisrael Beitenu party said it would propose legislation next week for a ban on the event and a jail term of up to three years for Palestinians.
Israel celebrated its occupation on Palestinian territories as "independence day" this year on April 29, in accordance with the Hebrew lunar calendar. Palestinian refugees around the world and Israel's Palestinian citizens mark the "Nakba", or "Catastrophe" on May 15, the day after the British colonial era over Palestine ended in 1948.
Ceremonies in the occupied West Bank were held a day early this year because May 15 falls on Friday, the Muslim holy day.
In Ramallah, Palestinians, some holding large wooden keys to symbolise those of homes from which they fled in 1948, took part in a rally.
"I came here to show that we believe that one day we will return. If not me, then my son," said Mohammad Hassan, 79.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, on a visit to Syria, was to make a televised address later in the day to mark the Nakba.
The right government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which Lieberman's party is a member, has rejected the Western, US and Arab-backed goal of Palestinian statehood. It also firmly resists the right of return of Palestinian refugees.
The Palestinian refugees say that in the summer of 1948, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled their homes after armed Jewish guerrillas stormed their villages and forced them to leave after hundreds of other Palestinian fellows were slaughtered.
The refugees fled to neighboring countries like Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, but many of them went to the West Bank, which was under Jordan's rule and to the Gaza Strip which was under Egypt's rule. The United Nations helped the refugees by setting up refugee camps for them.
There are 5 million Palestinian refugees living in the Palestinian territories, in Arab countries and all over the world, according to figures from UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA).
Posted by annie at 11:41 AM
from the Palestinian Heritage Center- good photos of the pope's vestments with the Key honoring the Right of Return
Palestinian Heritage Center
PHC was honored to make the pope scarf that was given to him by the al-Aida refugee camp in BethlehemArticle Link: Al-Quds
posted by annie at 4:23 PM
No comments:
Post a Comment