May 15 is the day when Palestinians commemorate the Nakba, or Catastrophe, when 750,000 Palestinians were driven from their homes. They and their descendants, now numbering over 4 million, remain exiles and refugees 63 years later.
Protests are common in Palestine on this day, but this year many observers expect them to be far larger than in the past because of the impacts of the Arab Spring. Additionally, Arabs in countries neighboring Israel are expected to take stands to support Palestinians. Already, several days before the actual Nakba commemoration, major protests have happened in Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel.
In Egypt and Jordan, first from the Daily News Egypt:
Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Tahrir Square on Friday in support of the Palestinian cause and to advocate national unity, following the Imbaba clashes which left 12 dead and 240 injured.
Jerusalem Post:
In the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, Egypt's second largest city, thousands marched to the Israeli consulate after dawn prayers at one of the city's main mosques, chanting: "With our souls, with our blood, we redeem you Palestine."
In Jordan, early "Nakba Day" protests took place north of the Allenby Bridge border crossing with similar protests planned for Sunday, Israel Radio reported.
The gatherings in Cairo, Alexandria and El-Arish come amidst preparations by activists to organize a march to the Gaza Strip on Sunday, May 15 -- which Palestinians mark as the anniversary of their 1948 displacement following the establishment of Israel.
Hundreds marched in El-Arish in Sinai after Friday prayers, chanting pro-Palestinian slogans.
And from Ynet:
Tens of thousands of Egyptians gathered at Cairo's Tahrir Square Friday ahead of "Nakba Day," which will be marked by the Palestinians in two days to commemorate the "disaster" inherent in the State of Israel's establishment.
About 500 protesters marched in Amman's downtown market district Friday also demanding an end to Jordan's 1994 peace treaty with Israel and the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador.
A coalition has called for a march from Cairo to Gaza on May15, though the ruling military council has called on protesters to abandon it. It remains to be seen what will happen.
Protests are also expected in Lebanon:
IDF on Lebanon alert for Nakba Day demonstrations
IDF troops will be deployed in large numbers throughout the West Bank and along the border with Lebanon on Friday, amid expectations that massive demonstrations will break out on both fronts ahead of Nakba Day (“the day of the catastrophe”).
The IDF began reinforcing troops in the West Bank earlier this week, and sources in the Northern Command said on Thursday that there were expectations that Palestinians in Lebanon will also travel to the border to participate in the protests.
Protests have taken place inside Israel, with thousands marching in Galilee on May 10.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz is reporting on clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem in which Israeli troops have opened fire with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition:
Israeli-Palestinian tensions rise in Jerusalem, West Bank as Nakba Day nears
Israel Defense Force soldiers and Palestinians clashed on Friday throughout the West Bank, days before planned demonstrations to commemorate the Nakba.
Mild clashes between the IDF and Palestinians erupted in Jerusalem on Friday morning, in Silwan, Isawiya and in the Old City. Israel police forces have arrested 11 protesters.
However, Palestinian officials have reported one wounded from live fire in Ras al-Amud, an East Jerusalem neighborhood and several others have been reported wounded by rubber bullets and tear gas, mainly in Silwan.
The IDF has increased its presence in multiple potential points of contention in a preemptive attempt to prevent Palestinians from breaking into settlements and IDF army bases.
Palestinians in Lebanon plan to march and bus in from several locations in Lebanon toward the border with Israel on Sunday. Tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees will converge in Maroun al-Ras, a village in southern Lebanon that was a major point of fighting between the IDF and Hezbollah during the 2006 Lebanon War.
A parallel demonstration will also be taking place on the Israel side of the Lebanon border in Avivim, a source told Haaretz, where demonstrations will be staged concurrently with the rally planned in Maroun al-Ras.
Al Jezeera reports on these same protests, noting:
A Palestinian Red Crescent spokesman said they had treated nine people, including 16-year-old Milad Said Ayyash, who was suffering from serious internal bleeding after being shot in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood.
A second youth from Silwan was hit in the genitals by rubber bullets, the spokesman said, without giving details about the other injuries.
Insisting that no live ammunition was used, Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said he knew a teenager had been taken to hospital but with only a light injury and the cause unknown.
Clashes were also reported in Issawiyya, Al-Tur and Ras al-Amud, all flanking Jerusalem's Old City.
In the East Jerusalem refugee camp of Shufat, Israeli undercover police arrived at the scene of clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians, and detained several Palestinians.
An official at Makassed hospital on the Mount of Olives said "nearly 30 people" had been injured in Friday's clashes.
There is also a report of critical injuries to a Palestinian youth and to an American:
17 year-old was critically injured from live fire in East Jerusalem, and an American protester suffered serious head injury after being hit by a tear-gas projectile shot directly at him from close range.
These protests will continue and likely expand through Nakba Day on May 15. They are a uniquely Palestinian protest, but they are also part and parcel of the Arab Spring that is rearranging the political order in the Middle East. These protests have the potential to reveal an unexpected Palestinian strength, and could help build linkages between Palestinians and the citizens in neighboring countries.