PALESTINIANS MARK LAND DAY

Gaza, 11 Jumadil Akhir 1436/31 March 2015 (MINA) – Palestinians on Monday are marking “Land Day,” which commemorates Palestinian persistence in defending their land and existence.

Land Day, celebrated on March 30 of each year, dates back to 1976, when six Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire during demonstrations that broke out against Israel’s seizure of thousands of square kilometers of Arab land.

Israel seized territory in the northern Galilee region, where Palestinians constitute an overwhelming majority. Galilee residents responded by declaring a general strike that prompted Israeli troops to invade the region and clash with residents, World Bulletin quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

A variety of marches and activities commemorating the incident are planned across the Palestinian territories on Land Day, including in West Bank cities, East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and regions inside Israel where Arabs reside.

Palestinian expatriates are expected to hold similar events in several Arab and Western capitals.

In the southern Israeli city of Rahat, the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel – an Israeli political entity representing Arabs – has called on Israel’s Arab population to stage a mass protest to “affirm their commitment to holding on to the [Palestinian] territories.”

In the northern Israeli village of Deir Hanna, the committee will organize a main festival for Monday’s event, to be preceded by a demonstration that will see the participation of activists, citizens, heads of local councils and Arab members of the Knesset (Israel’s parliament).

Usama al-Uqaibi, head of the Islamic Movement in Southern Israel, called on Palestinians residing in Israel to participate in the Land Day celebrations.
“Our message to the Israeli establishment is that we’re staying in this holy land despite all Israeli plans to displace us,” al-Uqaibi told. (T/P005/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)