Jordan Times
Monday, March 30, 1998
Land Day opportunity to renew struggle to regain
occupied Arab lands — Srour
AMMAN (J.T.) — Lower House of Parliament Speaker Sa’d
Hayel Srour on Sunday said today’s anniversary of Land Day
constitutes a very important occasion to renew “our
attachment to our occupied Arab lands and our determination to
regain them.”
Mr. Srour was speaking on the eve of Land Day, which marks the
22nd anniversary of the killing by Israeli forces of six
Palestinians who were protesting Israel’s seizure of their
land in the territories occupied since 1948.
“This anniversary offers us the chance to renew our
determination... and provide support for the Palestinian people
in their struggle to regain and exercise their full rights,
including the right to self-determination and the establishment
of an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian soil,”
said Mr. Srour.
In a statement to the press, Mr. Srour said: “The
anniversary should reflect the Arab people’s firm
determination to regain their usurped lands and end Israel’s
hegemony and expansion as well as settlement policies.”
On March 30, 1976, Israeli Arabs staged their first-ever
nationwide general strike to protest the expropriation of their
lands by the state of Israel. Violent clashes took place between
Arab citizens and Israeli security forces, resulting in the death
of six Arabs and the injury of scores more.
Mr. Srour attacked Israel for pursuing an expansionist policy in
total disregard to U.N. resolutions calling for Israeli
withdrawal from occupied Arab lands and a halt to its inhuman
practices against the Palestinians.
“On this anniversary, we reassert our demand for a just,
comprehensive and durable peace, which can only be established by
the return of the occupied lands to their rightful owners and
compliance by Israel with U.N. resolutions,” said Mr. Srour.
Mr. Srour saluted all people who are sincerely pursuing efforts
to help the Palestinians regain their rights.