Thousands commemorate the Nakba in Gaza

IMEMC

Thousands of Palestinians commemorated the 61st anniversary of the Nakba, as Hamas and the Islamic Jihad organized massive protests in various parts of the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian refugees - Image by Palestine Think Tank

Dozens of protests were held in Gaza and the residents marched towards areas overlooking Palestinian lands illegally captured by Israel in 1948, and the inhabitants were forced out. The protestors chanted for heir internationally guaranteed Right of Return.

The protestors carried Palestinian flags, flags of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other factions, and also carried banners that included the names of Palestinian cities and villages destroyed by the Israeli forces during the Nakba. Some of the banners read “Israel is a cancer, implanted by injustice and terrorism”, the Arabs48 news website reported.

They also chanted “We will return to Haifa, we will return to every part of our land”, and “We will never recognize Israel”.

The protestors also called on the resistance to remain steadfast and said that resistance is the only means to regain the stolen Palestinian rights.

They carried symbolic keys representing the key of homes destroyed during the Nakba after the Palestinians were forced out of their homes and lands, and dozens of protestors carried official documents proving ownership of homes and lands located in what became the state of Israel.

Palestinian legislator of Hamas, deputy head of the Palestinian legislative council (PLC), Ahmad Bahar, said that the Right of Return is a holy right, and that the Palestinian people, the Palestinian factions, will never accept compensation, and will remain determined to return to their cities, villages and towns.

He demanded the United States and its president, Obama, not to overlook the Israeli massacres in Gaza, and demanded the Arab League to lift the Israeli siege.

Bahar also said that the Pope should have visited Gaza and observed “the holocaust inflicted by the Israeli forces on the Palestinian people”.

Meanwhile, Islamic Jihad leader, Khader Habib, said that his movement will never give up any part of Palestine, and added that the “occupation is a strange plant that would be uprooted by the mujahidin”.

In a protest organized by the Islamic Jihad in Beit Lahia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, Habib, said that Palestine is for the Palestinians, and that it cannot be divided.

Thousands of Palestinians mark the Nakba in Gaza

Saturday May 16, 2009 - 01:09

Palestinian sources in the Gaza Strip reported Friday that thousands of Palestinians participated on Friday after noon prayers in a procession, called for by Hamas, to mark 61st anniversary of the Nakba.

Dozens of protests were carried out starting from different mosques in Gaza, and the protesters chanted for the Right of Return.

Speakers at the protests said that the Right of Return passes from one generation to the other, and that no Palestinian will ever give up this internationally guaranteed right.

They also said that resistance would continue and would defend the rights of the Palestinians who are steadfast and determined to achieve their rights of independence and liberation.

Dozens of protestors carried Palestinians flags, symbolic keys resembling the keys to their homes destroyed during Israel’s creation, maps of historic Palestine, and official documents that prove their right to their homes and lands they were forced to evacuate during the Nakba.

Hamas spokesperson in northern Gaza, Abdul-Latif Al Qanoa’, stated that the six million Palestinian refugees in Palestine and in different parts of the world are determined to achieve their Right of Return to their towns and homeland.

He also said that Hamas will never accept to give up this right, and will remain steadfast to protect the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.