RAMALLAH, May 15, 2008, (WAFA)-President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday that the security of Israel is linked to our independence and security, adding that the continuity of occupation and al-Nakba could not bring security for each and ending the occupation could only bring security.

In a speech televised by Palestine T.V in commemoration the 60th anniversary of al-Nakba in Ramallah, President said that it is time to end the Nakba of the Palestinian people and it is time for Israel to respond to the call of a just and comprehensive peace and achieve a historical compromise between the two peoples on this holy and tortured land.

'We stretch our hand for peace but without weakness or indifference. The hand which has been struggling for sixty years for the sake of freedom,' President said.

President affirmed that the ongoing settlement destroys the chances of peace. 'We say to the Israeli government that all settlement activities, particularly in Jerusalem, including 'E1' project should be halted if it wants not miss the present opportunity,' President added.

Abbas affirmed that we are ready to continue the process of negotiations until we reach a just and comprehensive peace leads to ending of occupation, establishment of an independent Palestinian state on 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital as well insuring the justice and return for the refugees in accordance with the UN resolution 194.

'The suffering and pain of sixty years of displacement, oppression, injustice and occupation did not make us lose confidence in ourselves and our Arab and Islamic that stood and stand together with us today insisting on the Arab peace initiative, which represents the most significant opportunity if Israel wants real peace, firmly and always with the Arab and Islamic surroundings, ' President said.

President added that sixty years had elapsed and here and there are still rooted in the land, insisting on hope to return and ending the Israeli occupation of our land and people. We still do not hold an unequivocal message to the Palestinian people to enjoy freedom and peace and build the future of his homeland and his sons.

'It is time for this occupation to leave our land and blood and it is shame to this humanitarian catastrophe which is called the Palestinian people to end,' President said.

President Abbas concluded that we are struggling today so that our steadfast and patient people have homeland, land and independent state they belong to and to be proud of which among the peoples of the world.

.