This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7401892.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 11 | Version 12 |
|---|---|
| Abbas pledge on 'catastrophe' day | |
| (20 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 In pictures: Palestinians' 'Nakba' href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7390166.stm">Inside a refugee camp class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7385156.stm">Sixty years of division | |
| "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. |
| 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. |
| Advertisement | |
| Palestinians' black balloons on 'Nakba' day | |
| 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 | |
| And he backed Israel's refusal to negotiate with the Islamist Hamas movement, saying it 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. |