Hamas prevents Palestinians from reviving Nakba Day in Gaza

CAIRO – 15 May 2017: Hamas’s security apparatuses prevented the central march, scheduled Monday, in Gaza to revive the 69th commemoration of Nakba (Day of Catastrophe.)

Nakba is an annual day in the memory of the displacement that preceded and followed the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948. It falls on May 15, and was inaugurated by Yasser Arafat in 1998.

Leading member of the political bureau of the Palestinian People’s Party Ayman Awad condemned Hamas’s decision. He pointed out that that procedure does not express national partnership, but shows Hamas’s non-acceptance of others’ opinions.

He asserted that banning the march negatively affects Palestinian national issues such as the refugees’ case and considers it a shameful act.

He continued that Hamas is not keen on reaching a consensus in Gaza, while it should have been the main organizer of the Nakba Day. Awad called for assigning a special day for solidarity with Refugees and detainees.