Today can only be described as “Bloody Sunday” following the deaths of 21 people, and over 200 injured by Israeli forces. 10 people are reported dead in Lebanon, 8 in Syria, 2 in Gaza, and 1 in the occupied West Bank.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians marked the Nakba anniversary by marching to the borders with Israel in Palestine, Syria and Lebanon. They were demanding their right of return to the homes and lands they were force to flee in 1948.
In Gaza, thousands of people marched to the Erez border crossing where they were met by a barage of bullets and shells fired from tanks. A 17 year old was killed, and 60 were injured. Most of those injured were children, with wounds to their legs. Another man was killed later in the eastern area of Gaza. Currently, F16′s, Apache Helicopters and unmaned drones are roaming the skies above the besieged area.
In Lebanon, thousands marched to Maroun el Rass, the border with Israel. Demonstrators were fired upon by Israeli troops leaving 10 dead and 70 injured, according to local reports. Thousands protested for hours before dispersing peacefully.
In Syria, Palestinian refugees and Syrians crossed into the occupied Golan Heights, and like in Lebaonon and Gaza, they too met a hail of bullets. Local reports say 8 people have been killed and 50 injured. The Syrian Foreign Ministry called Israels actions “criminal activity”, and called on the interntional community to hold Israel responsible for the killing.
In the occupied West Bank, demonstrators faced rubber bullets, live fire, and deadly tear gas as they commerated the Nakba. Unconfirmed reports say 1 man has been killed, and close to 100 people injured. Clashes lasted for hours as demonstrators continued to come under attack from Israeli troops.
Across the world, thousands of people have also been remembering the Nakba. In New York, Norman Finkelstein joined thousands of demonstrators, and in Cairo, thousands have been protesting outside the Egyptian embassy. In London, Dublin, Paris, Madrid, Belfast, Amman, Ankara, Istanbul, Gothenburg and many other cities worldwide, thousands have come out to show their support for the Palestinians right to return to their homes and land.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “We are determined to defend our borders and our sovereignty”.
A spokesman for Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Sami Abu Zuhri, called Sundays murders “a turning point in the Israeli-Arab conflict that proved the Palestinian people and Arabs were committed to ending Israeli occupation.”
Hezbollah condemned the “Israeli aggression on unarmed civilians in Maroun al-Ras and in the Golan, which constitutes a dangerous violation of human rights, and what happened today in Maroun al-Ras and in the Golan is an embodiment of the will of the Palestinian people who are committed to the right of return.”
Mahmoud Abbas, speaking in a telvised interview said, “Their precious blood will not be wasted. It was spilt for the sake of our nation’s freedom.”
Western leaders including Barak Obama, David Cameron, Nicolas Sarkozy, and others has remained silent on the murders.
Where is the loud and resounding international moral outrage? Had this been an illegal zionist squatter’s family the din of outrage would reach the highest heavens and the international condemnation and collective retribution against Palestinians would know no end!
You are so right, D.C. We would also get to know their names, ages, occupation, and we would have interviews with relatives and neighbours. The BBC cannot even be bothered to count the number of Palestinians murdered and wounded.
You guys are so right.. none of those protesters BROKE the border to Israel.. they were simply waiting there and got shot!! Stop lying to the world.. check the facts!
Israel has gotten away with murdering and torturing tens of thousands of innocent people over the last 63 years with full support and protection of the United States government. Why should it stop now? The only thing that will stop Israels continuing purging and land theft will be when the world ceases recognizing this illegitimate filthy state and quits doing business with it. But, alas, the international banking system is Zionist-controlled. So, what to do? http://www.rense.com/general85/feddrec.htm
David, the answer to your question is that we must ask critical questions to find out how 6 million people can afford to fund the occupation, siege, colonies etc etc. How much does it cost? where does the money come from? When you answer these questions you will see just how vulnerable the zionist project in Palestine actually is. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8654956/Israel%27s%20Top%2030%20small.jpg
Check out the many informative links here – https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=154412524589404
When you go on killing sprees, and you find western countries falling over themselves to leap to your defence.. obviously you’re not going to think twice next time the opportunity arises to kill a few more..
Why do we always refer to them? – the western leaders?…they’re nothing but irresponsible leaders…they care not to the Palestinians despite the CLEAR PROVE that Israel has made a criminal activity…they’re not leaders!…we don’t want them as our leaders…
how deafing the sound of silence can sound another example of how the international community can creat that effect when it comes to the murder of palestians at the hands of isreal when will it end how mny more men women and children must die before the international community grow some balls and stop their double standers policies as reguards the middle east
Time to get rid of the scum who have occupied Palestine for 63 years!