Ahead of ‘Land Day,’ Activists Descend on Lebanon
Dozens of international delegations comprising hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists began arriving in Lebanon on Wednesday, ahead of massive protests planned for Land Day, which commemorates the 1976 deaths of six Israeli Arabs protesting Israeli government land policies.
Plans have been announced in the Arab world calling for protest marches up to the Israeli border. Haaretz has learned that major disagreements have developed between leading, mostly Palestinian, protest organizers in the West Bank and neighboring Arab countries, and other activists identified with Iran, Syria and Hezbollah.
It has also been learned that the protest organizers, who are billing the event as the Global March to Jerusalem, are attempting to refine their protest message and avoid a physical confrontation with Israeli forces.
On Wednesday, Lebanese activists reported that international delegations of pro-Palestinian groups began arriving at Beirut and Tripoli airports.
Additional reports indicated that the Lebanese army and intelligence have prepared a detailed plan and route for Friday’s march, indicating that protest activity will take place in a compound near the border with Israel. The march will be held in full coordination with Lebanese security forces.
For more, go to Haaretz.com
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