GAZA, (PIC)-- Hamas has rejected Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's conduct in welcoming Greek President Karolos Papoulias after Greece issued a ban on Gaza flotilla ships docked at its ports.
The ships had sights set on defying Israel's siege on the Gaza Strip and delivering much needed aid.
Senior Hamas official Salah al-Bardawil said in a press statement on Tuesday: “At a time when the Palestinians are outraged at Greece's official position...in response to Zionist pressure...Abbas shocks us by receiving Greek president Karalos Papoulias in Ramallah.”
Bardawil also objected to the fact that the move came after Papoulias visited Israeli President Shimon Peres and Peres thanked Papoulias for support of Israel's position on the flotilla.
Dozens of Palestinians took to the streets at Manara Square, downtown Ramallah, in reaction to Abbas's welcome of Papoulias.
They raised Palestinian flags and banners condemning the Greek president's flotilla ban.
Papoulias landed Monday in Israel for an official visit and then went ahead to Ramallah for a second state visit to the Palestinian Authority, which received him with a ceremony bus. The move angered Palestinians.
Calls for massive sit-in as Greek president to visit PA
[ 12/07/2011 - 08:31 AM ]RAMALLAH, (PIC)-- Calls have been made for a massive sit-in at Al-Manara Square downtown Ramallah on Tuesday to protest the visit by Greek President Karolos Papoulias to the Palestinian Authority as well as his plans to meet with PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
The protesters will condemn Greece's position on the Gaza siege and call on Greece to retract its ban on the Freedom Flotilla ships, which have been detained at Greek ports.
The joint calls were made by several Palestinian youth groups on Facebook.
Papoulias met Monday with Israeli President Shimon Peres, who thanked the Greek president for the blocking the ships from setting sail from its ports to the Gaza Strip to challenge Israel's blockade.
Peres told Papoulias that the ban has contributed to the calm in the region and was ultimately for the benefit of Gaza.
Elsewhere, the Movement of Society for Peace in Algeria has condemned European nations for bowing to Israeli pressure and stopping activists from breaking the Gaza siege.
In a statement, the Algerian political party called for a lift of the Gaza siege and for prosecution of Israeli authorities for their violations against the Palestinians and the lethal attack of the first Freedom Flotilla.
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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