07/16/2011, 00.00
ISRAEL - PALESTINE
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Thousands of Israelis and Palestinians march to demand Palestinian independence

The organizing group, the Israeli Sheikh Jarrah Solidarity movement, demands a Palestinian state within the '67 borders. Hopes for UN in recognition. But some Palestinian dream of a State which unites Israel and Palestine.
Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Thousands of Israelis and Palestinians marched together, yesterday, demanding the independence of Palestine and the recognition of borders by the UN in 1967. The group that organized the "March of independence", the Israeli Sheikh Jarrah Solidarity movement, speaks of 4,500 participants; radios present there approximately 2 thousand, while the Israeli police brought the total number to just 500 people. The demonstration took place in a symbolic way right along the '67 borders, including areas east and west of the city. This is the first time in 20 years that Israelis and Palestinians have been jointly involved in a peaceful demonstration.

The march started from the Jaffa Gate in the Old City, down to the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, in exactly the opposite direction to the march in June, organized by the Israeli far-right activists to celebrate the Six day War. Carrying signs saying "Everyone has the right to an independent state", "March for Independence", "Only free men can negotiate for peace", these activists called the UN recognition of the '67 borders of, that Palestine will ask the Assembly of the United Nations next September, "essential".

However, the enthusiasm of the participants is constrained by the skepticism of some "spectators" of the march. Speaking to the Jerusalem Post ,Fuzi, a driver Palestinian, said: "I do not think this will help in any way. These people are fighting a war different from ours, "explaining that he is more concerned about the high costs of food and houses.

Other Palestinians, present at the march, have criticized the event because " Israeli activists arranged everything." Meanwhile, new polls show that many Palestinians see a single state in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a new solution, not the recognition of an independent state.


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