Channels

Photo: AP
First Gaza, then Jerusalem: Abu Mazen
Photo: AP

Gaza celebrations begin

First official Palestinian Authority celebration marks Israeli withdrawal from Gaza Strip; Mahmoud Abbas: this is first step in creating Palestinian state with Jerusalem as capital

Celebrations have already begun - Tens of thousands of Palestinians participated in the first official ceremony to mark Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip on Friday evening.

 

The ceremony saw Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen and other PA senior figures take part.

 


Mahmoud Abbas greeted by crowds in Gaza (Photo: Reuters)

 

Dozens of fishermen in boats adorned with Palestinian flags sailed past the ceremony.

 

Abu Mazen, who was received warmly by the crowds, said that Israel’s “withdrawal from the Strip is an important first step along the path of liberating the Palestinian homeland.”

 

“After Gaza, the destination will be Jerusalem. The diplomatic process must bring the Palestinians to independence and create a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital,” said the Palestinian leader.

 

Palestinian Minister for Civilian affair Muhammad Dahlan, who has been charged with directing the Palestinian side of the disengagement, said that the “Palestinian Authority will not allow anyone to play with the property and infrastructures of the Palestinian people.”

 


A 'Qassam baloon' (Photo: Reuters)

 

Dahlan also spoke of internal strife, saying that “the Authority will not allow anyone to try and take over by force.”

 

The ceremony was the first in a long line of events planned by the Palestinian Authority and various Palestinian factions to mark Israel’s Gaza withdrawal, which will begin next week.

 

Sewing and printing shops in Gaza have been working around the clock to produce new flags and stickers with the slogan: ‘Today Gaza, tomorrow the West Bank and Jerusalem.’

 


Palestinian boat parade (Photo: AP)

 

At the same time, Palestinian terror factions are held military marches across Gaza. The al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas conducted a ceremony Friday in which new members joined the group, and Gazan Hamas chief Mahmoud Zahar said that “Hamas will not disband its military wing, we will not disarm, or give our weapons away.”

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.12.05, 20:46
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment