Middle East News
Around 3,000 mark "Nakba day" in Sinai amid tight security
May 15, 2011, 12:21 GMT
Al-Arish, Egypt - Around 3,000 protesters gathered in the Egyptain city of al-Arish Sunday, in the Sinai Peninsula, to mark 'Nakba day',
The rally had on Saturdya been prevented by authorities from going to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.
The protestors were marking the 63rd anniversary of what they call Nakba (catastrophe), when Palestinians were expelled from their land in 1948 following Israel's establishment.
Protesters, who included Palestinians based in Egypt as well as political figures in Sinai, carried anti-Israeli banners.
They are calling for Palestinian statehood and an end to Israeli occupation, as well as the release of all Palestinian prisoners.
Egyptian authorities blocked access to the Sinai Peninsula Saturday to prevent thousands of activists who planned to march to the Gaza Strip from reaching the town of Rafah.
Only 200 pro-Palestinian activists managed to reach al-Arish from Cairo itself, after security closed the road leading from Cairo to Sinai, witnesses said.
The Egyptian army has warned against rallies at the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip.
Hundreds are expected to gather at the Israeli embassy in Cairo later on Sunday to demand expelling the Israeli ambassador to Egypt.
Thousands of Egyptians gathered in central Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday, waving Palestinian flag alongside Egyptian flags, to show support for Palestinian rights.
Read more about Egypt
Read more about Mideast Conflict
Read more about Nakba
