Israelis Mark 69th Anniversary while Palestinians Rue the “Catastrophe” (Naqba)

Israel celebrated its 69th anniversary on Tuesday while thousands of Palestinians marched in observance of its “Naqba” – the “catastrophe” of the creation of the Jewish state. Israel’s Independence Day kicked-off Monday evening following 24-hours of subdued remembrance of those who died in defense of the nation. At sunset, the national mood shifted to one of joyous celebration, with a gala ceremony from Jerusalem televised nation-wide. Tuesday saw the presentation of the nation’s highest civilian award, the Israel Prize, to nine recipients; and the first secular winner of the high school-age national bible contest. Meanwhile, for the 18th consecutive year, Palestinians once again commemorated the “Naqba” by holding a mass march from the site of an Arab village that did not survive the 1948 war to the western Galilee. A key demand by the Palestinians in negotiations with Israel is the “Right of Return,” claiming that with extended families and natural growth of the 750,000 who left in 1948, some five million Palestinians world-wide now have that right. Israel rejects the Palestinian claim, arguing that if there is to be a Palestinian state, it would be the proper address for those seeking to return.