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'Catastrophe' day plea to Israel | 'Catastrophe' day plea to Israel |
(9 minutes later) | |
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas says he is determined to end Israel's occupation of Palestinian land, labelling it "mankind's shame". | Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas says he is determined to end Israel's occupation of Palestinian land, labelling it "mankind's shame". |
Mr Abbas also said his hands were extended in peace, as Palestinians mark the "catastrophe" of Israel's creation. | Mr Abbas also said his hands were extended in peace, as Palestinians mark the "catastrophe" of Israel's creation. |
More than 700,000 Palestinians were displaced in the war that followed Israel's establishment in 1948. | More than 700,000 Palestinians were displaced in the war that followed Israel's establishment in 1948. |
US President George W Bush, who is visiting the country, told MPs that Washington was Israel's closest ally. | US President George W Bush, who is visiting the country, told MPs that Washington was Israel's closest ally. |
As Palestinians recalled the "Nakba" (catastrophe) 60 years ago, Mr Abbas said in a televised speech: "It is time for this occupation to leave our land and blood. | As Palestinians recalled the "Nakba" (catastrophe) 60 years ago, Mr Abbas said in a televised speech: "It is time for this occupation to leave our land and blood. |
Israel's population may be just over seven million. But when you confront terror and evil, you are 307 million strong, because America stands with you President George W Bush href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7403048.stm">In pictures: Palestinians' 'Nakba' class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7399861.stm">Troubled tour ahead | |
"It is time this mankind's shame, which is called the Palestinian people's Nakba, to end." | "It is time this mankind's shame, which is called the Palestinian people's Nakba, to end." |
Sirens sounded across the Palestinian territories during two minutes of silence for those who fled or were expelled in the conflict that followed Israel's declaration of independence. | Sirens sounded across the Palestinian territories during two minutes of silence for those who fled or were expelled in the conflict that followed Israel's declaration of independence. |
Protest rallies were held across the West Bank and Gaza, and demonstrators released 21,915 black balloons - one for each day since Israel's creation. | Protest rallies were held across the West Bank and Gaza, and demonstrators released 21,915 black balloons - one for each day since Israel's creation. |
Many Palestinians accuse Israel of collective punishment in its attempts to quash Palestinian militants, says the BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem. | Many Palestinians accuse Israel of collective punishment in its attempts to quash Palestinian militants, says the BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem. |
MPs walk out | MPs walk out |
At the Erez border crossing in Gaza, Israeli troops opened fire towards demonstrators. | At the Erez border crossing in Gaza, Israeli troops opened fire towards demonstrators. |
Mr Olmert and Mr Bush visited the Masada fortress on Thursday | Mr Olmert and Mr Bush visited the Masada fortress on Thursday |
There was no immediate word of any casualties. There were also clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops near the Qalandiya refugee camp in the West Bank. | There was no immediate word of any casualties. There were also clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops near the Qalandiya refugee camp in the West Bank. |
In Jerusalem, Mr Bush received a standing ovation from MPs at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. | In Jerusalem, Mr Bush received a standing ovation from MPs at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. |
Mr Bush said: "Israel's population may be just over seven million. | Mr Bush said: "Israel's population may be just over seven million. |
"But when you confront terror and evil, you are 307m strong, because the United States of America stands with you." | "But when you confront terror and evil, you are 307m strong, because the United States of America stands with you." |
The president did not repeat his ambition, stated earlier this year, for a full peace deal between the Israelis and Palestinians within the next eight months. | The president did not repeat his ambition, stated earlier this year, for a full peace deal between the Israelis and Palestinians within the next eight months. |
He again urged action to prevent Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. | He again urged action to prevent Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. |
"Permitting the world's leading sponsor of terror to possess the world's deadliest weapon would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations," he said. | "Permitting the world's leading sponsor of terror to possess the world's deadliest weapon would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations," he said. |
HAVE YOUR SAY There is only one solution; the right to return to the occupied land Nader. FinlandSend us your comments class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">Inside a refugee camp class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">Sixty years of division | |
And he backed Israel's refusal to negotiate with the Islamist Hamas movement, saying the Jewish state should never be forced to deal with "killers pledged to its destruction". | And he backed Israel's refusal to negotiate with the Islamist Hamas movement, saying the Jewish state should never be forced to deal with "killers pledged to its destruction". |
Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said there should be a different Middle East over the next 60 years that would include a democratic homeland for Palestinians. | Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said there should be a different Middle East over the next 60 years that would include a democratic homeland for Palestinians. |
He also said he thought the Israeli people and parliament would overwhelmingly back a peace agreement with the Palestinians. | He also said he thought the Israeli people and parliament would overwhelmingly back a peace agreement with the Palestinians. |
A number of hardline Israeli MPs walked out as he spoke. | A number of hardline Israeli MPs walked out as he spoke. |
Mr Bush's Middle East visit will include Saudi Arabia and Egypt. | Mr Bush's Middle East visit will include Saudi Arabia and Egypt. |
But there will be no trilateral summit between the American, Israeli and Palestinian leaders and Mr Bush will not visit the Palestinian territories. | But there will be no trilateral summit between the American, Israeli and Palestinian leaders and Mr Bush will not visit the Palestinian territories. |
Instead, he is to meet Mr Abbas in Egypt. | Instead, he is to meet Mr Abbas in Egypt. |