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Abbas marks Israel 'catastrophe' | Abbas marks Israel 'catastrophe' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has spoken of Palestinians' "pain and suffering" on the day they mark the "catastrophe" of a created Israel. | |
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 is addressing 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. |
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." |
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 class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7399861.stm">Troubled tour ahead class="" 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 | |
He said 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. |
'Closest ally' | |
Mr Bush was welcomed at Israel's parliament, the Knesset. | |
Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said the US had provided essential diplomatic and financial support at the time of the foundation of Israel and in the decades that followed. | |
Mr Olmert and Mr Bush visited the Masada fortress on Thursday | |
He also said he thought the Israeli people and parliament would overwhelmingly support a peace agreement with the Palestinians. | |
A number of hardline Israeli MPs walked out as he spoke. | |
Following a standing ovation, Mr Bush said "America was proud to be Israel's closest ally and best friend in the world". | |
He referred to his morning trip to the Roman-era desert fortress of Masada, where in an act of defiance during Roman rule, almost 1,000 Jews were chronicled to have committed suicide. | |
Mr Bush said: "Masada shall never fall again and America will be at your side." | |
He said the US would never negotiate with "killers pledged to [Israel's] destruction". | |
HAVE YOUR SAY There is only one solution; the right to return to the occupied land Nader. FinlandSend us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY There is only one solution; the right to return to the occupied land Nader. FinlandSend us your comments |
Mr Bush also 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. | |
He also said there should be a different Middle East over the next 60 years in a "bold vision" that would include a democratic homeland for Palestinians. | |
Muslims would "recognise the emptiness of the terrorists' vision and the injustice of their cause". | |
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. | |
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. |