Palestinians want visitors to show sensitivity
Photo: Reuters
PA introduces new boycott
Dignitaries who attend Israel's Independence Day festivities to be shunned by Palestinians
Presidents, prime ministers and other dignitaries who attend Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations next month will be shunned by Palestinian leaders if they visit the West Bank.
Palestinian officials said the decision by Palestinian resident Mahmoud Abbas and his government in the West Bank to temporarily boycott world leaders who visit the West Bank during Israeli festivities amounted to a symbolic protest.
It was not clear if any did plan to go there.
"Whoever participates in such (Israeli) events will be persona non grata," said one Palestinian official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"We will be marking the Nakba. They (visiting leaders) have to be a bit more sensitive about the feelings of the Palestinian people," said a second Palestinian official.
Bush-Abbas meeting to go ahead
Israel is expected to host at least six current heads of state, including US President George W. Bush, for the 60th anniversary celebrations.
Palestinian officials said leaders who attended those festivities and went to the West Bank would not be banned for life and could meet Palestinian leaders in the West Bank at a later date.
Bush plans to meet Abbas in Egypt after visiting Israel, and Palestinian officials said those talks would go ahead as planned.
