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Protestors in Bethlehem affirm the right of return May 9, 2008 Around 200 Palestinians, internationals and Israelis demonstrated at military checkpoint placed at the southern entrance of Bethlehem, to protest the wall Israel is building on the lands of the Palestinian village of Al-Khader near Bethlehem on Friday morning.
The
protest
started
with
a
prayer
near
the
checkpoint,
during
which
the
preacher
affirmed
the
right
of
return
for
the
Palestinian
refugees
instated
by
the
United
Nations
Resolution
194,
as
the
60th
anniversary
of
the
dispossession
of
the
Palestinian
people
nears.
As soon as the protestors gathered for the prayer, at least 30 Israeli troops backed by 6 military vehicles, blocked the checkpoint in an attempt to foil the protest. The nonviolent demonstration was organized by the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements as part of series of weekly protests against Israeli measures in Palestine. Protestors carried Palestinian flags and banners reading, “Stop erasing Palestinian identity”, “Stop ongoing Nakba”, “End the Israeli occupation”, and called for the recognition of right of return for Palestinian refugees. The demonstration ended peacefully after one hour with no friction with the army.
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