It was a surprising image: tens of thousands of peaceful and unarmed Palestinian civilians gathered just a few hundred metres from the eastern borders of the Gaza Strip where, according to advance Israeli media reports-cum-warnings, 100 army snipers were deployed in preparation for a crackdown on the popular protest. The International Coordinating Committee for the Great Return March called on all Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, 1948-occupied Palestine and the diaspora to take part in the event, which marked the 42nd anniversary of Palestine Land Day. The most remarkable gathering took place in Gaza, where the organisers erected tents for a protest expected to last for six weeks, reaching its peak on 15 May, the 70th anniversary … Continue reading Why did Palestinians take part in the Great March of Return?