Palestinians, supporters in Arab countries marking 'catastrophe' of Israel's inception with rallies, marches. IDF on high alert.
Dozens of Palestinians clashed with IDF soldiers at the Qalandiya checkpoint in the West Bank. The rioters stoned the troops, who employed crowd-control measures in return. No injuries were reported.

Palestinians celebrate end of prisoners' hunger strike-

Hundreds rally in West Bank and Gaza Strip to mark 'Palestinian prisoners' victory over Israel. The masses chanted "Allah Hu Akbar" (God is great) and held a prayer service. According to the Palestinians, Israel agreed to allow prisoners from both the West Bank and Gaza to receive family visits. The visits from Gaza were halted in 2006, following Gilad Shalit's abduction.

The Shin Bet said that in return the prisoners pledged "to absolutely stop terror activity from inside Israeli jails."



Ahead of "Nakba Day," the PLO's research center released its annual census of Palestinians worldwide. The center found that in 2011, Palestinians worldwide numbered 11.2 million, with 4.2 million living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and 1.37 million living within the Green Line (inside Israel)



Latest Update: 05.15.12



Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as pro-Palestinian supporters in other Arab nations, are marking "Nakba Day" Tuesday, marking the "catastrophe" of the inception of theState of Israel.


The Palestinian Authority has declared a general strike, as did the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee, which declared a strike in Israel's Arab sector.


Mass rallies and marches are taking place across the Palestinian Authority and in Arab cities in Israel.



The IDF has declared high alert across all borders, and has bolstered its deployment in West Bank cities and along the Gaza border, ahead of possible clashes.



Dozens of Palestinians clashed with IDF soldiers at the Qalandiya checkpoint in the West Bank. The rioters stoned the troops, who employed crowd-control measures in return. No injuries were reported.


Dozens of Palestinians rioted and torched tires at a checkpoint near the Cave of the Patriarch, as well. IDF troops used crowd-control measures there as well.



The PA held its main rally in the Yasser Arafat Square in Ramallah, where thousands of Palestinians gathered at noon.


The rally was preceded by a march starting at the former PA chairman's tomb, near the Mukataa. At 12pm, a 64-second siren was heard across Ramallah to mark the beginning of the official ceremony.


A similar march was held in the Gaza Strip, with members of all Palestinian factions in attendance.

In order to avoid clashes, the factions agreed in advance that only the official Palestinian flag will be waived during the march – and none of the individual factions' flags.



Ahead of "Nakba Day," the PLO's research center released its annual census of Palestinians worldwide. The center found that in 2011, Palestinians worldwide numbered 11.2 million, with 4.2 million living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and 1.37 million living within the Green Line.


Some five million Palestinians live across the Arab world and 630,000 live in various European countries and the United States. Nevertheless, over 50% of Palestinians live outside the West Bank, Gaza and Israel.






Palestinians celebrate end of prisoners' hunger strike-


Palestinians across the West Bank and Gaza Strip held celebratory rallies Monday, as news of the deal struck between the security prisoners and Israel became public.

The deal spelled the end of some 1,600 prisoners' hunger strike. It was brokered by Egyptian mediators.


According to the Palestinians, Israel agreed to allow prisoners from both the West Bank and Gaza to receive family visits. The visits from Gaza were halted in 2006, following Gilad Shalit's abduction.


The Shin Bet said that in return the prisoners pledged "to absolutely stop terror activity from inside Israeli jails."


Hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets to celebrate the deal and "the Palestinian prisoners' victory over Israel."


Hebron Palestinian Prisoner Club manager Amjad Najjar lauded the prisoners' "unwavering stand" vis-à-vis Israel; and local Palestinian leaders praised the "newfound unity of Palestinian prisoners from different faction, which promoted their victory."



In the Strip, hundreds gathered in the Unknown Soldier Square, one of Gaza City's main squares, where a protest tent was erected as the hunger strike began.


The masses chanted "Allah Hu Akbar" (God is great) and held a prayer service. City officials urged "Palestinian of all factions to join in a march celebrating national unity"






http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4229315,00.html


http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4229270,00.html