May 8, 2011

Israel seals the West Bank through 5/10 for independence day celebrations (by the Hebrew calendar); Israeli Palestinians hold marches to commemorate the Nakba (the expulsion of Palestinians in 1948 when Israel was formed; most other Palestinians observe Nakba Day ca. 5/15, Israel’s independence day by the Gregorian calendar). The IDF patrols in Qalqilya, nearby ‘Azun, and Ya‘abad village nr. Jenin. In Gaza, students at al-Azhar University celebrate the reconciliation agreement. (MNA 5/8; NYT 5/9; OCHA, PCHR 5/12)