Tens of thousands greet Abbas on visit to Rafah refugee camp

[bemildred]

RAFAH REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza Strip - Dozens of gunmen gave a warm welcome to interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday, hoisting him on their shoulders and pledging loyalty to his campaign for the Palestinian presidency.

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"Rafah suffers from oppression and occupation, but it will not be defeated and humiliated and will not back down except after victory and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital," Abbas told the cheering crowd.

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Abbas, who lives in the West Bank, traveled to Gaza this week to mark the 40th anniversary of the ruling Fatah movement. On Jan. 1, 1965, Fatah carried out its first attack on an Israeli target - an explosion at a water tower in which one Fatah member was killed and a second arrested.

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"Today we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the revolution begun by Abu Ammar," he said, referring to Arafat. "We will continue until a Palestinian boy and girl place a Palestinian flag over the walls and minarets of Jerusalem," he said.

Haaretz

[karl meltdown]

1. a Free Gaza will be bold change ...

as will tiny jewish states control over and willingness to fight for any pal land grab in west bank. If ABBAS wants more land let him build his own army and fight for it?

[bemildred]

2. I don't get your meaning Karl.

If you explain, I promise not to snap, although I cannot speak for others here.

[karl meltdown]

3. what baffels you??

Pal land grab ? a free gaza? west bank a part of a greater tiny jewish state?deportation of homicide bombers families to a free gaza? take ground and hold it responses to attacks from west bank,also free one way trip to gaza for captured fighters or intifada participants?

[bemildred]

4. Thanks, I think that clear it up. nt

[Forkboy]

5. lol

[The Magistrate]

6. In Other Words, Sir

You feel the territories in the Jordan Valley over-run in '67 ought to be incorporated into Israel?

As a matter of curiousity, Sir, what do think ought to be done, in that case about the populace now living there? Do they become citizens of Israel, or is something else to be done?

[ashiebr]

7. I believe Karl was encouraging Palestinian....

..violence.

"let him build his own army and fight for it?"

Not very nice, is it?