RAMALLAH, May 14, 2015 (WAFA) – The massive protest featuring thousands of
Palestinians setting off from late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat’s
mausoleum toward Yasser Arafat square to commemorate the 67th
anniversary of the Nakba hit the front page headlines in Palestinian dailies.
The three
dailies reported that Palestinian people in West Bank and Gaza held festivals
and rallies to commemorate the 67th anniversary of the Nakba, the Palestinian
Catastrophe of 1948.
Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO) was quoted in al-Quds daily as stating: “We will
continue to struggle and uphold our national goals despite all sacrifices
made.”
It further
reported that various Palestinian factions affirmed their commitment to the
right to return.
It printed a
photo featuring a Palestinian elderly refugee currently residing in Nablus’
al-Far‘ah refugee camp pinpointing the location of his original village of
Kafrin near Haifa, inside the 1948 borders.
Al-Ayyam
printed two photos featuring a boy with the flag of Palestine and a key of an
old house painted on his cheeks and a group of Palestinian men wearing black
t-shirts and holding keys affirming their commitment to the right to return. [‘The
keys symbolize those kept as mementos by many Palestinians who left their homes
in 1948. Such keys and the Handala are common Palestinian symbols of support
for the right of return.’]
The three
dailies also reported that the Vatican has concluded an official agreement on
the activities of the Catholic Church in Palestinian Territories.
The three
dailies reported that having signed this agreement, the Vatican has affirmed
his formal recognition of the State of Palestine.
They noted that
the agreement would be signed by President Mahmoud Abbas and Pope Francis
during Abbas’ imminent visit to Vatican.
The Palestinian
Foreign Ministry was reported in the al-Quds and al-Ayyam dailies as stating:
“The draft agreement with the Holy See is a step that serves peace and
stability.”
Al-Quds quoted
member of Israeli Knesset Tzachi Hanegbi as saying that talks would not be held
with the Palestinians unless they abandon ‘their preconditions’.
It reported that Germany has announced a new €37 million ($41 million) contribution to the
UNRWA shelter assistance program in Gaza.
Covering daily Israeli forces’ practices across
the West Bank, al-Quds reported that Israeli forces closed down the Bethlehem
town of Taqou‘ and detained several Palestinians from the Bethlehem town of
al-Khader.
They also raided the Jenin villages of Be’r
al-Basha and al-‘Araqa, where they handed locals notices to demolish some of
their structures.
Al-Quds reported that the International Criminal
Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has requested Israel to provide information
about the latest onslaught on Gaza.
Warning Israel about the consequences of the lack
of cooperation, Bensouda was quoted in al-Ayyam as saying: “We will open a
comprehensive inquiry into war crimes committed in Gaza.”
Al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida highlighted Abbas’
visit to Tunisia and quoted him as stating: “In order for intra-Palestinian
reconciliation to be achieved, presidential and parliamentary elections should
be held.”
Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported Chairman of the Jesus
Christ Foundation in Palestine US clergy Terry Mclntosh as saying: “Israel is a
racist state that builds walls and murders people.”
K.F./T.R.
