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Abbas marks Israel 'catastrophe' 'Catastrophe' day plea to Israel
(about 3 hours later)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has spoken of Palestinians' "pain and suffering" on the day they mark the "catastrophe" of a created Israel. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas says he is determined to end Israel's occupation of Palestinian land, labelling it "mankind's shame".
Palestinians are recalling the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 with marches and protests. Mr Abbas also said his hands were extended in peace, as Palestinians mark the "catastrophe" of Israel's creation.
More than 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled in the war that followed Israel's declaration of independence. More than 700,000 Palestinians were displaced in the war that followed Israel's establishment in 1948.
US President George W Bush is in Israel to mark the anniversary and is addressing its parliament, the Knesset. US President George W Bush, who is visiting the country, told MPs that Washington was Israel's closest ally.
Sirens sounded across the Palestinian territories for the observation of two minutes of silence for those who fled or were expelled. 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.
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 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
He said Palestinians were "doing the impossible to keep the name of Palestine alive". "It is time this mankind's shame, which is called the Palestinian people's Nakba, to end."
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." 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.
Thousands gathered in Ramallah on the West Bank, waving Palestinian flags. 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.
The release of 21,915 black balloons was planned - 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.
In the Gaza Strip, controlled by Mr Abbas' rivals, Hamas, a march towards a sealed Israeli border crossing was planned. MPs walk out
Hamas police prevented events by Mr Abbas' Fatah movement. At the Erez border crossing in Gaza, Israeli troops opened fire towards demonstrators.
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 ThursdayMr 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. 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.
A number of hardline Israeli MPs walked out as he spoke. In Jerusalem, Mr Bush received a standing ovation from MPs at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset.
Following a standing ovation, Mr Bush said "America was proud to be Israel's closest ally and best friend in the world". Mr Bush said: "Israel's population may be just over seven million.
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. "But when you confront terror and evil, you are 307m strong, because the United States of America stands with you."
Mr Bush said: "Masada shall never fall again and America will be at your side." 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 said the US would never negotiate with "killers pledged to [Israel's] destruction". He again urged action to prevent Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.
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."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. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAY There is only one solution; the right to return to the occupied land Nader. Finland class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4794&edition=2&ttl=20080515122030">Send us your comments
Muslims would "recognise the emptiness of the terrorists' vision and the injustice of their cause". 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".
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. 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.
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. He also said he thought the Israeli people and parliament would overwhelmingly back a peace agreement with the Palestinians.
Earlier in the day, four people were killed in Israeli military operations in Gaza. 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, 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 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.