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Abbas marks Israel 'catastrophe' Abbas marks Israel 'catastrophe'
(10 minutes later)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has spoken of Palestinians' "pain and suffering" on the day they mark the "catastrophe" of Israel's founding.Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has spoken of Palestinians' "pain and suffering" on the day they mark the "catastrophe" of Israel's founding.
Palestinians are recalling the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 with marches and protests.Palestinians are recalling the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 with marches and protests.
More than 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled in the war that followed Israel's declaration of independence.More than 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled in the war that followed Israel's declaration of independence.
US President George W Bush is in Israel to mark the anniversary and will address its parliament, the Knesset. US President George W Bush is in Israel to mark the anniversary and is addressing its parliament, the Knesset.
Sirens sounded across the Palestinian territories for the observation of two minutes of silence for those who fled or were expelled.Sirens sounded across the Palestinian territories for the observation of two minutes of silence for those who fled or were expelled.
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 Troubled tour aheadInside a refugee campSixty years of divisionIsrael'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 Troubled tour aheadInside a refugee campSixty years of division
Mr Abbas said in a televised speech: "There are two peoples living on this beloved land - one celebrates independence and the other feels pain of the memory of its Nakba."Mr Abbas said in a televised speech: "There are two peoples living on this beloved land - one celebrates independence and the other feels pain of the memory of its Nakba."
He said that Palestinians were "doing the impossible to keep the name of Palestine alive".He said that Palestinians were "doing the impossible to keep the name of Palestine alive".
Mr Abbas added: "We mark this anniversary not for the sake of consoling ourselves but as a reminder of the long and glorious struggle of the Palestinian people whose wounds, pains and sufferings have not dissuaded them from rising like a phoenix."Mr Abbas added: "We mark this anniversary not for the sake of consoling ourselves but as a reminder of the long and glorious struggle of the Palestinian people whose wounds, pains and sufferings have not dissuaded them from rising like a phoenix."
Thousands gathered in Ramallah on the West Bank, waving Palestinian flags.Thousands gathered in Ramallah on the West Bank, waving Palestinian flags.
The release of 21,915 black balloons was planned - one for each day since Israel's creation.The release of 21,915 black balloons was planned - one for each day since Israel's creation.
In the Gaza Strip, controlled by Mr Abbas' rivals, Hamas, a march towards a sealed Israeli border crossing was planned.In the Gaza Strip, controlled by Mr Abbas' rivals, Hamas, a march towards a sealed Israeli border crossing was planned.
Hamas police prevented events by Mr Abbas' Fatah movement.Hamas police prevented events by Mr Abbas' Fatah movement.
In Gaza City, the Islamic Jihad militant group has organised a rally of 500 schoolchildren dressed in military uniforms.In Gaza City, the Islamic Jihad militant group has organised a rally of 500 schoolchildren dressed in military uniforms.
'US steadfast''US steadfast'
Six decades after the founding of Israel, the Palestinians are still seeking an independent state.Six decades after the founding of Israel, the Palestinians are still seeking an independent state.
The fate of 1948 refugees and their descendents, living scattered in camps and settlements around the region, remains one of the thorniest issues in peace talks.The fate of 1948 refugees and their descendents, living scattered in camps and settlements around the region, remains one of the thorniest issues in peace talks.
Israeli PM Ehud Olmert and Mr Bush visit the Masada fortressIsraeli PM Ehud Olmert and Mr Bush visit the Masada fortress
Mr Bush has repeated his belief that Israel and the Palestinians could strike a deal to bring about a Palestinian state by the end of the year, which the two sides pledged to do at a US-sponsored conference last November.Mr Bush has repeated his belief that Israel and the Palestinians could strike a deal to bring about a Palestinian state by the end of the year, which the two sides pledged to do at a US-sponsored conference last November.
But correspondents say few in the region are optimistic that tangible progress is being made in the talks.But correspondents say few in the region are optimistic that tangible progress is being made in the talks.
On Thursday Mr Bush toured the Roman-era desert fortress of Masada.On Thursday Mr Bush toured the Roman-era desert fortress of Masada.
In an act of defiance during Roman rule, almost 1,000 Jews were chronicled to have committed suicide there rather than surrender to the Romans.In an act of defiance during Roman rule, almost 1,000 Jews were chronicled to have committed suicide there rather than surrender to the Romans.
Later Mr Bush will address the Knesset.Later Mr Bush will address the Knesset.
In pre-released remarks, he says the US "rejects utterly" calls for it to break ties with Israel.In pre-released remarks, he says the US "rejects utterly" calls for it to break ties with Israel.
"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.""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."
He calls on Muslims to "recognise the emptiness of the terrorists' vision and the injustice of their cause".He calls on Muslims to "recognise the emptiness of the terrorists' vision and the injustice of their cause".
He will also again urge action to prevent Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.He will also again urge 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 will say."Permitting the world's leading sponsor of terror to possess the world's deadliest weapon would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations," he will say.
Israeli soldiers arrest Palestinians near the Sufa crossing on WednesdayIsraeli soldiers arrest Palestinians near the Sufa crossing on Wednesday
While Mr Bush has praised Israel, many Palestinians accuse the country of hurting the innocent and of collective punishment in its attempts to quash Palestinian militants, says the BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem.While Mr Bush has praised Israel, many Palestinians accuse the country of hurting the innocent and of collective punishment in its attempts to quash Palestinian militants, says the BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem.
On Wednesday, 14 people, including a mother and daughter, were injured when a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon.On Wednesday, 14 people, including a mother and daughter, were injured when a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon.
Earlier in the day, four people were killed in Israeli military operations in Gaza.Earlier in the day, four people were killed in Israeli military operations in Gaza.
Mr Bush's Middle East visit will include Saudi Arabia and Egypt in an attempt to inject some momentum into the current peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians.Mr Bush's Middle East visit will include Saudi Arabia and Egypt in an attempt to inject some momentum into the current peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians.
But there will be no trilateral summit between the American, Israeli and Palestinian leaders, however, and Mr Bush will not be visiting the Palestinian territories.But there will be no trilateral summit between the American, Israeli and Palestinian leaders, however, and Mr Bush will not be visiting the Palestinian territories.
Instead, he is to meet Mr Abbas in Egypt.Instead, he is to meet Mr Abbas in Egypt.