Thousands protest in Tel Aviv for Palestinian state

Thousands protest in Tel Aviv for Palestinian state

2011-06-05 03:26:25 GMT+7 (ICT)

TEL AVIV (BNO NEWS) -- Thousands of protesters on Saturday marched in Tel Aviv in support of the recognition of a Palestinian state, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Protesters marched from Rabin Square to Tel Aviv Museum of Art calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept U.S. President Barack Obama's outline for renewing peace talks with the Palestinians. Two activists were arrested during the rally for assaulting police and disturbing the peace, respectively.

The organizers of the protest were inspired by Netanyahu's speech to the United States Congress last month in which they believe he responded negatively to every possible outline of a future Palestinian state.

Last month, Obama called on the Israelis and Palestinians to renew peace talks for a two-state solution based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed upon swaps. Netanyahu rejected the solution based on the 1967 borders as that measure will leave a large population of Israelis in Judea and Samaria and outside Israel's borders.

Last year, Israel and the Palestinian Authority stalled the peace negotiations, which were supported by the United States and the United Nations, after the Jewish nation refused to extend a moratorium on settlement building in occupied Palestinian territory in September.

In response, President Abbas broke off direct talks after as recommended by Hamas. Israel resumed settlement constructions even though they were labeled as a violation of international law by the international community.

Palestine demanded a stop to settlement construction in the disputed East Jerusalem and West Bank area as a key element for continuing peace talks, aimed at reaching a two-state solution based in the 1967 Green Line.

On May 4, Fatah, Hamas and all other Palestinian factions signed an historic unity deal in Cairo. As a result, the Hamas-led government in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank will be dissolved and replaced by a single cabinet of independent technocrats.

Israel urged the Palestinian Authority to choose either peace with Israel or peace with Hamas as there "is no possibility for peace with both." Hamas said that the unity government will be formed within ten days but so far factions have not agreed on a cabinet and elections were delayed.

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