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Last update - 03:34 15/05/2009
Lieberman's party proposes ban on Arab Nakba
By Reuters
Tags: Lieberman, Nakba, Israel news 

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's party wants to ban Israeli Arabs from marking the anniversary of what they term "the Catastrophe" or Nakba, when in 1948 some 700,000 Arabs lost their homes in the war that led to the establishment of the state of Israel.

The ultranationalist Yisrael Beitenu party said it would propose legislation next week for a ban on the practice and a jail term of up to three years for violators.

"The draft law is intended to strengthen unity in the state of Israel and to ban marking Independence Day as a day of mourning," said party spokesman Tal Nahum.
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The initiative could fuel racial tensions stoked by Lieberman's February election campaign call to make voting or the holding of public office in Israel contingent on pledging loyalty to the Jewish state.

Arabs, who make up 20 percent of Israel's population, said the allegiance demand was aimed at them and accused Lieberman of racism.

Israel celebrated its Independence Day this year on April 29, in accordance with the Hebrew lunar calendar. Palestinian refugees around the world and Israel's Arab citizens mark the Nakba on May 15, the day after the British mandate over Palestine ended in 1948.

Ceremonies in the West Bank were held a day early this year because May 15 falls on Friday, the Muslim day of rest.

In Ramallah, hundreds of Palestinians, some holding large wooden keys to symbolize the keys of homes from which they fled in 1948, took part in a rally.

"I came here to show that we believe that one day we will return. If not me, then my son," said Mohammad Hassan, 79.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, on a visit to Syria, was to make a televised address later in the day to mark the Nakba.

The right-leaning government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which Lieberman's party is a key ally, has not endorsed the Western and Arab-backed goal of Palestinian statehood.

It also firmly opposes the division of Jerusalem and the right of return of Palestinian refugees, and Netanyahu recently introduced a demand that Palestinians, as part of any future peace agreement, recognize Israel as a "Jewish state".

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      1.   A reasonable policy 16:58  |  Jackie 14/05/09
      2.   Hasn`t Lieberman heard of democracy? 17:10  |  Michael 14/05/09
      3.   OKAY, SO LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT... 17:11  |  Micah 14/05/09
      4.   Whaaaa? 17:12  |  fb 14/05/09
      5.   Nakba denial equates to holocaust denial. 17:17  |  American in NY 14/05/09
      6.   HUH? "..the war that led to the establishment...of Israel"???? 17:28  |  Dr. L. Brnd 14/05/09
      7.   How will Lieberman ban history? 17:33  |  Mark Lincoln 14/05/09
      8.   #3: well, not about feeling good or bad 18:30  |  Paul Freedman 14/05/09
      9.   hey jackie, what about memorial day? 18:32  |  boxley 14/05/09
      10.   700 000, what about the 1000 000 jews 18:36  |  Yakov 14/05/09
      11.   This will only hurt us, we will lose Global support 18:40  |  Jeff 14/05/09
      12.   you cannot deny people their feelings 18:40  |  Mark B. 14/05/09
      13.   Banning Naqba Day is stupid and arrogant. 18:42  |  Fortuna Benmayor 14/05/09
      14.   you can take the totalitarian out of Russia.... 20:18  |  avram moshe 14/05/09
      15.   #2 To Michael, about nationalism 20:58  |  Oggy 14/05/09
      16.   Purim is my Naqba 21:02  |  Haman the Persian 14/05/09
      17.   #1 A Reasonable olicy 21:05  |  Bobby 14/05/09
      18.   Should Hutu who committed the Rwanda genocide have a Nakba Day? 21:10  |  Dr. L. Brnd 14/05/09
      19.   He is right. Not in Israel. Let them celebrate in Gaza / W. Bank 21:20  |  Semsem 14/05/09
      20.   Naqba Facts (3rd try) 21:22  |  Binyamin 14/05/09
      21.   Beitenu Has The Right Idea, But Always A Bit Off 21:29  |  Robert 14/05/09
      22.   Yes, Dr. Bynd, In the U.S., They Can and Should 21:52  |  Binyamin 14/05/09
      23.   Ban Nakba and ban Holocaust 21:54  |  Secular 14/05/09
      24.   Take naqba out of textbooks 21:56  |  judith 14/05/09
      25.   Binyamin 21:59  |  Jane 14/05/09
      26.   Yisrael Beitenu 22:07  |  jennifer 14/05/09
      27.   jennifer, how do you feel if... 00:53  |  Bruce 15/05/09
      28.   Faces of true Domocacy...... 00:57  |  Farooq 15/05/09
      29.   The End Of Democracy 01:10  |  Paul Fingerhut 15/05/09
      30.   Jackie needs to get out of the Florida sun 02:26  |  Aphemia 15/05/09
      31.   Lieberman is Israel`s Nakba 02:35  |  Danny 15/05/09
      32.   Bruce 02:45  |  jennifer 15/05/09
      33.   #3, Micah, damn right you should feel bad 03:00  |  newageblues 15/05/09
      34.   Both Israel and Palestine are democracies 03:37  |  Bruce 15/05/09
      35.   the joke`s over 03:51  |  honey bunch 15/05/09
      36.   As well as your logic Jenifer 04:17  |  Bruce 15/05/09
      37.   Loyalty to one`s country after Independence, in the US and Israel 04:22  |  Stella 15/05/09
      38.   Denying Arabs their basic right to protest 04:35  |  Ahmed Bahraini 15/05/09
      39.   The Ban on Nakba should have been a law 05:11  |  Yosi 15/05/09
      40.   Nakba is racist Aparhide of hate against Israel 05:16  |  Abuya 15/05/09
      41.   #11 Israel already lost world support 05:21  |  ALASKA 15/05/09
      42.   Mr Lieberman might learn a thing or two ... 06:56  |  Morris Valentine 15/05/09
      43.   Any man 09:53  |  Jim 15/05/09
      44.   #11 Jeff 10:39  |  Jim 15/05/09
      45.   #15 Oggie 11:35  |  Jim 15/05/09
      46.   come on, u can`t be serious..what do u hope to achieve 11:35  |  ardeschir hassan 15/05/09
      47.   Just grievances can not be legislated away 11:37  |  Ivar 15/05/09
      48.   To #44: Arab iniciative - a tricky way for Israel destruction 11:38  |  Mark 15/05/09
      49.   #42 the sanguine mr valentine and the real world 11:41  |  vhardman 15/05/09
      50.   fascist Lieberman will ban thinking next 11:47  |  iggy 15/05/09
      51.   Soon the nationalsocialist Yisrael Beitenu party... 11:55  |  Gray 15/05/09
      52.   #41 ALASKA 11:59  |  Jim 15/05/09
      53.   A jail term for marking the anniversary of the Arab Nakba? 12:01  |  Maureen Ann 15/05/09
      54.   Lieberman`s party proposes ban on Arab Nakba 12:31  |  Ramon 15/05/09
      55.   nakba day & arab ghetto culture makes arabs hated by jews 12:34  |  zionist forever 15/05/09
      56.   fascist Lieberman will ban thinking next 12:42  |  iggy 15/05/09
      57.   Nkaba`s catastrophe is Israel itself 12:47  |  Steven 15/05/09
      58.   If they want to celebrate, send them to Naplouse or Gaza 13:18  |  maurice 15/05/09
      59.   Bruce 13:19  |  jennifer 15/05/09
      60.   The Holocaust didn`t happen 13:27  |  Rachel 15/05/09
      61.   Lieberman equals Donkey. 13:30  |  Razi 15/05/09
      62.   knowledge is the key 14:10  |  knowledgestar 15/05/09
      63.   Ahmed Bahraini # 38 We`re Not Talking About Palestinians Here 14:11  |  Jeff Northridge 15/05/09
      64.   And why not, if they don`t like it, they can go elsewhere 14:14  |  Harvey 15/05/09
      65.   That ultra-nationalist little piggy 14:21  |  allang 15/05/09
      66.   54 14:39  |  zionist forever 15/05/09
      67.   Step toward fascism 14:56  |  Matty Groves 15/05/09
      68.   A Middle Eastern State 15:03  |  jennifer 15/05/09
      69.   Lieberman once more proves he is an extremist 15:05  |  jens 15/05/09
      70.   zionist forever 15:46  |  jennifer 15/05/09
      71.   banning a day of mourning 15:52  |  tasnim 15/05/09
      72.   NABKA = LOSERS 15:53  |  petra 15/05/09
      73.   Lock up all the arabs? 15:56  |  Adam 15/05/09
      74.   Harvey 16:04  |  Jake 1948 15/05/09
      75.   #68, jennifer, "wiping history out" 16:10  |  Bruce 15/05/09
      76.   The irreconcilable Mr Hardman (#49) 16:11  |  Morris Valentine 15/05/09
      77.   #69, jens, defending yourself from extermination is... 16:14  |  Bruce 15/05/09
      78.   allang, `loyalty to the Jewish state can`t be mandated" 16:20  |  Bruce 15/05/09
      79.   69 16:27  |  zionist forever 15/05/09
      80.   zionist forever 16:29  |  jennifer 15/05/09
      81.   Jackie #1 17:29  |  Can 15/05/09
      82.   #69 Jens what war crime he Palestinians in 1948 19:33  |  Big Sur 15/05/09
      83.   Harvey #64... vast numbers of Pals have already gone "elsewhere" 19:43  |  Esther 15/05/09
      84.   Lieberman, the Nakba of Isareli democracy.. 19:50  |  Joe 15/05/09
      85.   WHY NOT BAN NAKBA! ISRAELI CELEBRATIONS ARE BANNED BY THE ARABS! 21:13  |  dav zee 15/05/09
      86.   The Yuck factor 21:27  |  WHG 15/05/09
      87.   Bruce #75 23:04  |  jennifer 15/05/09
      88.   No other country tolerates something like Nakba 23:23  |  Moises 15/05/09
      89.   Ahmed Bahraini....Big difference between Naqba 23:56  |  MMM 15/05/09
      90.   Israel continues to prove its not a democracy 00:42  |  Johan Odin 16/05/09
      91.   First they banned Nakba, and I did not speak out 00:55  |  Moshe Cryan 16/05/09
      92.   Lets get this straight 01:00  |  Denise 16/05/09
      93.   What ever happened to free speech? 01:05  |  David 16/05/09
      94.   Alaska....so what? Israel can take care of itself 01:07  |  MMM 16/05/09
      95.   If your ancestors stayed in Israel there would be 01:15  |  MMM 16/05/09
      96.   Arab Nakba 01:39  |  Bill Josephson 16/05/09
      97.   #87, jennifer 01:41  |  Bruce 16/05/09
      98.   #88, Denise, Lets get this straight 02:08  |  Bruce 16/05/09
      99.   stunned but not surprised 02:54  |  skeptic 16/05/09
      100.   Cousin Bruce and His Nakba Narrative 04:08  |  Binyamin 16/05/09
      101.   The Nakba is a Palestinians-Arabs made : 06:46  |  Akram Zekaria 16/05/09
      102.   Nakba 06:56  |  rm 16/05/09
      103.   EVIL! 07:10  |  indrajaya 16/05/09
      104.   100~ Cousin Binyamin : 07:24  |  Akram Zekaria 16/05/09
      105.   Lieberman is Right ! There is only a Self-inflicted Nakba. 07:28  |  Akram Zekaria 16/05/09
      106.   The only friends Israel left are the Evangelical Christians 07:31  |  Maria 16/05/09
      107.   The Arab-Palestinians thrives to live with Lies ! 07:36  |  Akram Zekaria 16/05/09
      108.   "nationalism"? or can you spell "f-a-s-c-i-s-m"? (3rd try) 07:51  |  eric 16/05/09
      109.   93~ David : Blaming Israel for the Nakba is wrong ! 08:05  |  Akram Zekaria 16/05/09
      110.   #90 odious odin and another misinterpretaion of democracy 08:24  |  v hardman 16/05/09
      111.   Jennifer #87,,, you`ve got it totally wrong... 08:26  |  Esther 16/05/09
      112.   108- eric The NAKBA has its roots in many lies ! 08:36  |  Akram Zekaria 16/05/09
      113.   Israel lives up to its racist-terrorist reputation again 10:13  |  anti-racist 16/05/09
      114.   Lieberman will not stop with Nakba day.... 10:35  |  Umm Einav 16/05/09
      115.   111~ Esther : You`ve got it just from the middle ! 10:38  |  Akram Zekaria 16/05/09
      116.   7~Mark Lincoln : "How will Lieberman ban History" (4th try). 10:47  |  Akram Zekaria 16/05/09
      117.   let em celebrate what they wish. Institute Death penalty 4 terror 13:16  |  EL 16/05/09
      118.   Bruce #97 13:18  |  jennifer 16/05/09
      119.   Maria 13:25  |  jennifer 16/05/09
      120.   Akram... a million misled words and conceptions... 13:32  |  Esther 16/05/09
      121.   Comparative obscenity? 13:47  |  Rod 16/05/09
      122.   Esther I hope & pray for Peace for Israel & every living Soul . 14:03  |  Akram Zekaria 16/05/09
      123.   #49 VHardmanPaulHarris. Speaking of the Ottoman Empire... 14:09  |  Maureen Ann 16/05/09
      124.   SHAME 14:12  |  EHUD 16/05/09
      125.   idrajaya 14:20  |  oz 16/05/09
      126.   politness 14:39  |  patriot 16/05/09
      127.   Ramon accuses 14:39  |  Jackie 16/05/09
      128.   to Knowledgestar 14:43  |  Jackie 16/05/09
      129.   Can`s comparisons 14:53  |  Jackie 16/05/09
      130.   #82 Big Sur pushing the Big Lie 14:56  |  Labhras 16/05/09
      131.   Esther 15:11  |  jennifer 16/05/09
      132.   # 37 Stella..... Is this your Israeli dream 15:24  |  allang 16/05/09
      133.   And so he should Umm Einav # 114..Why, do you know? 16:38  |  Kathy 16/05/09
      134.   this is foreign minister? 16:38  |  davi 16/05/09
      135.   Esther #111 A reply 16:58  |  Kathy 16/05/09
      136.   Akram #105 True, or false? 17:00  |  KATHY 16/05/09
      137.   # 2 Michael UK - Democracy 17:02  |  Maureen 16/05/09
      138.   #118, jennifer 17:05  |  Bruce 16/05/09
      139.   ofcourse 17:08  |  rm 16/05/09
      140.   #1 Jackie 17:26  |  Wayne 16/05/09
      141.   Jennifer #21 17:35  |  Esther 16/05/09
      142.   No ban, it will die by itself. 19:56  |  Vital 16/05/09
      143.   120~ Sorry Esther you are right dear .. 20:17  |  Akram Zekaria 16/05/09
      144.   140 Wayne 20:22  |  jackie 16/05/09
      145.   Treason 20:50  |  Ruth Broch 16/05/09
      146.   Kathy #135... you`re certainly true-to-form... 20:51  |  Esther 16/05/09
      147.   #60-Rachel plans to mourn July 4 21:29  |  peter 16/05/09
      148.   Akram #143... despite these "leaders", Israel with prevail 21:53  |  Esther 16/05/09
      149.   Akram Zekaria, if 2-State is a trap... 22:21  |  Bruce 16/05/09
      150.   Isreal treats Arabs better than the British did 22:37  |  Chuck 16/05/09
      151.   Jennifer 119 22:41  |  Bill 16/05/09
      152.   Jackie 127 22:46  |  Bill 16/05/09
      153.   Jennifer 131 22:52  |  Bill 16/05/09
      154.   Ruth Broch--Same may apply to Jews living in the new 22:55  |  Labhras 16/05/09
      155.   Ban Israel Beitenu racism 23:05  |  True Zionist 16/05/09
      156.   Wayne 140 23:06  |  Bill 16/05/09
      157.   Bill 23:26  |  jennifer 16/05/09
      158.   To Chuck in brooklyn# 150 Israel most certainly treats Arabs.. 01:17  |  Benny 17/05/09
      159.   Arabs should not worry - we do remember naqqbas, 02:38  |  17 17/05/09
      160.   Wrong, Jennifer! 03:29  |  Maria 17/05/09
      161.   This is a publicity grab with NO chance of becoming legislation. 05:07  |  PETER SM 17/05/09
      162.   No. 144 Jackie 05:11  |  Wayne 17/05/09
      163.   # 112 learn your history, akram (2nd try) 05:34  |  eric 17/05/09
      164.   Palistinaian nationalism in Israel? 05:46  |  Micah 17/05/09
      165.   this conflict is much deeper than 1948 i 06:18  |  zionist forever 17/05/09
      166.   #100, Answers to cousin Binyamin 06:36  |  Bruce 17/05/09
      167.   IF this becomes legislation complain!! Till then complain 06:56  |  PETER SM 17/05/09
      168.   #131, jennifer 06:58  |  Bruce 17/05/09
      169.   #156 eric-try the truth for once 07:02  |  peter 17/05/09
      170.   ERIC israel accepted Arabs rejected the rest is your spin 07:18  |  PETER SM 17/05/09
      171.   112 08:32  |  zionist forever 17/05/09
      172.   Maria 153 13:00  |  jennifer 17/05/09
      173.   #150 Tell that to the innocents slaughtered in GAZA 23:40  |  Mary 17/05/09
      174.   A bigoted response 23:57  |  Robert Meintzer 17/05/09
      175.   its like celebrating 9/11. completely messed up 23:45  |  a man 18/05/09
      176.   I agree with you, Rachel, Nakba should be acknowledged. 09:08  |  Fortuna Benmayor 22/05/09
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