Palestinains from all walks of life are commemorating Sunday "Nakba day" - a day that marks 57 years since Israel's independence and exodus of Palestinian refugees from Palestine.
In a special Nakba Day speech, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas strongly stressed the Palestinians’ entitlement to realize the right of return.
Abbas said Palestinians oppose the option of acquiring citizenship from the countries they reside in because they feel the banishment of the Palestinians by Israel is the most severe crime in modern history.
A siren marking Nakba Day was heard throughout the Palestinian territories at 12:00 p.m. (local time).
Nakba day, or the “Palestinian catastrophe day,” marks Israel’s independence and the subsequent exodus of Palestinian refugees from Israeli-controlled land. According to Palestinian organizations, Nakba Day activities this year focus on the "rejection of calls to relinquish the right of return."
Parades and demonstrations are taking place in the occupied territories throughout the day.
© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
