JERUSALEM — Across Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Palestinians on Thursday mourned their exodus from the land with moments of silence, black clothing and defiance.
The day marked the 60th anniversary of Israel’s declaration of statehood, an event that Palestinians still refer to as the Nakba: the catastrophe. It led to a war between the new state and the surrounding Arab nations — and lives as rootless refugees for generations of Palestinians.
In Ramallah, thousands of black-clad marchers marked the day by rallying in Manara Square. Throughout the West Bank protesters released 21,195 black balloons — one for each day since May 15, 1948.
A two-minute siren and a moment of silence preceded the event and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the rally via satellite from Kuwait.
“We mark this anniversary not to feel sorry for ourselves but to remind everyone of the long and glorious struggle of this people, whose suffering and pain have not ended yet,” Abbas said. “It is time the occupation came to an end.”
Scattered clashes broke out throughout the day between Israeli soldiers and rock-throwing Palestinian youths near the Qalandia checkpoint, which bisects the Jerusalem-Ramallah road. No serious injuries were reported.
