Palestinians see no cause to celebrate

By BRETT CLARKSON, TORONTO SUN - Rafeef Ziadah refers to the birth of the Jewish state as the "Nakba."  ranslated from Arabic, it means "catastrophe" and is used by Palestinians to describe the displacement of hundreds of thousands of them after Israel declared independence in 1948.

Yesterday at a press conference, Ziadah, 29, said she couldn't believe the "Party Like It's 1948" catchphrase used to promote last night's Israel@60 bash at the Ricoh Coliseum.

"We say there's no reason to party and celebrate ethnic cleansing," the York University student said.

Organized by Palestine House, yesterday's press conference, though geared toward condemning Israeli policy toward Palestinians, also announced the Palestinian community's protest slated for tomorrow afternoon at Queen's Park.

The rally is expected to draw thousands, Palestine House president Dr. Farid Ayad said yesterday.

The militant Jewish Defence League was planning a counter-protest against the "anti-Israel rally and march commemorating the so-called Nakba."

Officials at other prominent Jewish community associations, in off-the-record comments, distanced themselves from the JDL's style, seen by many as too confrontational.

But this week B'nai Brith Canada issued a statement blasting critics of Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations as waging a "campaign to stir up hatred" that Canadians should reject.

"For six decades Israel has miraculously fended off numerous invasions from neighbouring Arab states, all the while maintaining its vibrancy as the region's only democracy, and as a world leader in such fields as medicine, science and technology, as well as the arts and culture," said Frank Dimant, B'nai Brith Canada's executive vice-president in a statement.

Ziadah, who is a Christian, doesn't buy the democracy argument and says she favours Palestinian Muslims and Christians co-existing with Israeli Jews with all enjoying the same rights.

"All we want to do is return to our homes," Ziadah said. "We are no less human than anyone living in Canada."