Palestinian Demonstrators Urge End To Zionist Occupation
The Palestinians have reiterated their call for an end to the Zionist occupation of their territories during a demonstration to mark the birthday holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) in East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
The demonstrators on Sunday marched on the al-Aqsa Mosque in East al-Quds to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
The march, however, gained momentum as an Arab member of the Israeli Knesset, Ahmed Tibi, joined the crowd. A number of other Palestinian leaders also attended the rally.
During the rally, Tibi raised the Palestinian flag in the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which has witnessed violent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces in recent months.
Tibi insisted that the holy site as well as the whole city of al-Quds belong to Palestinians. He also criticized the United States for rejecting a UN Security Council resolution on a Palestinian state. The Knesset member criticized Washington’s double standards on the Palestinian nation’s rights.
The Knesset member’s participation in the rally triggered cheer and excitement among the demonstrators as many chanted slogans in his support.
The participants in the gathering also called for an end to disrespectful behavior toward Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), whose birthday falls on December 4, according to the Sunni Muslim interpretation.
The development comes as Israel continues to restrict movement of Palestinian worshipers to the al-Aqsa Mosque.
Over the past decades, the Tel Aviv regime has tried to change the demographic makeup of al-Quds by constructing illegal settlements, destroying historical sites and expelling the local Palestinian population.
Palestinian MP calls for continued anti-Zionist struggle
On the other hand in Ramallah, a member of Palestine National Council has emphasized the need for the continuation of the Palestinians’ combats with the Zionist regime even by political and diplomatic means.
Talking to IRNA, TaisierNassrallah stressed that the American threats can not stop the Palestinian struggle with the Zionist enemy.
The lawmaker who is also a member of Palestinian resistance movement Fatah urged breaking off any relation and contact with the Zionist regime.
The Gaza Strip is facing with a tragedy and catastrophe caused by the continuation of the cruel Israeli siege and violations, he said, adding that Tel Aviv has violated all the agreements with Palestinians.
Zionist settlers in West Bank upped to 15,000 in 2014
In the other context, more than 15,000 Zionist moved to Jewish-only settlements located in the occupied West Bank over the course of 2014, a Zionist official said Friday.
“Interior Ministry figures, showing that Judea-Samaria [the Jewish name for the West Bank] currently has nearly 400,000 Israelis, demonstrates [that] settlement in Judea-Samaria is an irreversible fact,” former Yesha Council head Dani Dayan said Friday.
The Yesha Council is an umbrella organization for the municipal councils of West Bank Jewish settlements.
According to Dayan, the number of Jewish settlers in the West Bank has risen by 15,000 since 2013.
Some Zionist reportedly prefer living in West Bank settlements – rather than Zionist cities – due to the low cost of housing and the many privileges granted by Zionist pro-settlement government.
Many immigrants to the self-proclaimed ‘Jewish state’ are also said to prefer settlement life.
The figures given by Dayan did not include those Zionists living on settlements in East Jerusalem, whose numbers are estimated at more than 200,000.
Agencies
R.S