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Press marks Palestinian 'Nakba' Press marks Palestinian 'Nakba'
(about 3 hours later)
More than 700,000 Palestinians fled their homes during the warMore than 700,000 Palestinians fled their homes during the war
The Palestinian press is in a mournful and bitter mood as it reflects on the 60th anniversary of the founding of Israel - seen by Palestinians as al-Nakba, the "catastrophe".The Palestinian press is in a mournful and bitter mood as it reflects on the 60th anniversary of the founding of Israel - seen by Palestinians as al-Nakba, the "catastrophe".
Some commentators argue that the events of 1948 have never really ended, accusing Israel of continuing to drive Palestinians off their land; one writer however, complains that Palestinians are failing to learn from their own mistakes.Some commentators argue that the events of 1948 have never really ended, accusing Israel of continuing to drive Palestinians off their land; one writer however, complains that Palestinians are failing to learn from their own mistakes.
The Israeli press is largely silent on the Palestinians' commemorations, although one commentator bluntly accuses them of themselves being to blame for al-Nakba; in the wider Arab world, papers focus on President George Bush's attendance at Israeli celebrations, seeing in it proof of US bias towards Israel. The Israeli press is largely silent on the Palestinians' commemorations. In the wider Arab world, papers focus on President George Bush's attendance at Israeli celebrations, seeing in it proof of US bias towards Israel.
Palestinian pressPalestinian press
EDITORIAL IN AL-QUDSEDITORIAL IN AL-QUDS
Al-Nakba was not a one-off event. It is rather an ongoing tragedy that is continuing until this day and is not expected to end any time soon. The lack of a homeland still haunts our people everywhere.Al-Nakba was not a one-off event. It is rather an ongoing tragedy that is continuing until this day and is not expected to end any time soon. The lack of a homeland still haunts our people everywhere.
ABDALLAH AWWAD IN AL-AYYAMABDALLAH AWWAD IN AL-AYYAM
The situation today is a repeat of the 1948 al-Nakba, but with different participants. The same scene is repeated: land is confiscated while the settlement expansion increases as if in a race against time; young men are emigrating in the midst of a power struggle under the shadow of the occupation.The situation today is a repeat of the 1948 al-Nakba, but with different participants. The same scene is repeated: land is confiscated while the settlement expansion increases as if in a race against time; young men are emigrating in the midst of a power struggle under the shadow of the occupation.
KHALIL WALID MAHMUD IN FILASTIN (PRO-HAMAS)KHALIL WALID MAHMUD IN FILASTIN (PRO-HAMAS)
Sixty years have passed since [Israel's] independence and our al-Nakba. The crime scene is still present. The refugee camps bear witness to who the executioner is, and who the victim.Sixty years have passed since [Israel's] independence and our al-Nakba. The crime scene is still present. The refugee camps bear witness to who the executioner is, and who the victim.
HAFITH AL-BARGHOUTHI IN AL-HAYAT AL-JADIDAHAFITH AL-BARGHOUTHI IN AL-HAYAT AL-JADIDA
Today, as we commemorate the annual day of wailing, we do not try to benefit from our memories of the mistakes we made. We rather focus on the pain, tears and lost orchards. Not one of us has critically appraised the Palestinian experience with the aim of finding strengths and weaknesses. Despite the long years that have passed, we are still making the same mistakes.Today, as we commemorate the annual day of wailing, we do not try to benefit from our memories of the mistakes we made. We rather focus on the pain, tears and lost orchards. Not one of us has critically appraised the Palestinian experience with the aim of finding strengths and weaknesses. Despite the long years that have passed, we are still making the same mistakes.
MUSTAFA AL-SAWWAF IN FILASTIN (PRO-HAMAS)MUSTAFA AL-SAWWAF IN FILASTIN (PRO-HAMAS)
Sixty years after the usurpation we are, God willing, closer to returning to [our lost lands]. However, this will not happen as long as some of us still regard negotiations with the occupation and the recognition of its legitimacy as a way to establish a Palestinian state. The return to Palestine will not happen through the negotiating table, but rather through resistance, unity and steadfastness.Sixty years after the usurpation we are, God willing, closer to returning to [our lost lands]. However, this will not happen as long as some of us still regard negotiations with the occupation and the recognition of its legitimacy as a way to establish a Palestinian state. The return to Palestine will not happen through the negotiating table, but rather through resistance, unity and steadfastness.
Israeli press
MERON BENVENISTI IN HA'ARETZ
Israelis come up with various odd arguments when confronting the challenge of al-Nakba Day, because the Palestinians blame them totally and unreservedly for their catastrophe: This is incitement against the state and a call for its destruction; the Arabs themselves are responsible for their catastrophe.
Press from the regionPress from the region
EDITORIAL IN EGYPT'S AL-JUMHURIYAEDITORIAL IN EGYPT'S AL-JUMHURIYA
The US president is entitled to enjoy, in Israel, the fruits of what US policy has achieved. This policy has always been biased towards Israel... However, he has no right to try to deceive these peoples through a media campaign in which he repeats slogans such as democracy and freedom and reiterates promises such as the establishment of the Palestinian state.The US president is entitled to enjoy, in Israel, the fruits of what US policy has achieved. This policy has always been biased towards Israel... However, he has no right to try to deceive these peoples through a media campaign in which he repeats slogans such as democracy and freedom and reiterates promises such as the establishment of the Palestinian state.
EDITORIAL IN EGYPT'S AL-AHRAMEDITORIAL IN EGYPT'S AL-AHRAM
Mr Bush: Arab peoples wish to live in security and peace, just like the American people. The Arab nations are ready with a peace initiative; what is needed is a little pressure on Israeli leaders, in order to persuade them to extend the hand of peace to the Palestinian people, which has been suffering as a result of the establishment of the State of Israel 60 years ago.Mr Bush: Arab peoples wish to live in security and peace, just like the American people. The Arab nations are ready with a peace initiative; what is needed is a little pressure on Israeli leaders, in order to persuade them to extend the hand of peace to the Palestinian people, which has been suffering as a result of the establishment of the State of Israel 60 years ago.
IZZ AL-DIN AL-DARWISH IN SYRIA'S TISHRINIZZ AL-DIN AL-DARWISH IN SYRIA'S TISHRIN
The US president comes as an unwelcome guest in Arab homeland to provoke Arabs and Muslims through his participation in Israel's celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of its usurpation of Palestine.The US president comes as an unwelcome guest in Arab homeland to provoke Arabs and Muslims through his participation in Israel's celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of its usurpation of Palestine.
AS'AD ABBUD IN SYRIA'S AL-THAWRAHAS'AD ABBUD IN SYRIA'S AL-THAWRAH
May the US president excuse us because we can not show any welcoming feelings towards him, as he has never been one of us... The US president's visit to celebrate our Nakba is an image of deceit, and his tour of Arab capitals is also part of deceit.May the US president excuse us because we can not show any welcoming feelings towards him, as he has never been one of us... The US president's visit to celebrate our Nakba is an image of deceit, and his tour of Arab capitals is also part of deceit.
MUHAMMAD NAJI AMAYRAH IN JORDAN'S AL-RA'YMUHAMMAD NAJI AMAYRAH IN JORDAN'S AL-RA'Y
George Bush [has] come to the region to join Israel in its celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of its so-called independence. This means that [the West now sees] the world Zionist movement, which usurped the land of Palestine and displaced its people, as a movement of national liberation from colonization and occupation, namely the Arab - or Palestinian-Arab - colonization and occupation of Palestine.George Bush [has] come to the region to join Israel in its celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of its so-called independence. This means that [the West now sees] the world Zionist movement, which usurped the land of Palestine and displaced its people, as a movement of national liberation from colonization and occupation, namely the Arab - or Palestinian-Arab - colonization and occupation of Palestine.
BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaux abroad. BBC Monitoringselects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaux abroad.