Israel, Palestinians return to conflicting narratives
While Israel celebrates its 70th birthday, the Palestinians mark 70 years of despair.
Seventy years of Israel’s independence is cause for celebration in Israel and a reason for mourning in the Palestinian Authority.
The Palestinian mass demonstrations along the Gaza fence will come to a climax May 14, just one day before the Palestinians mark Nakba Day — the establishment of Israel that the Palestinians see as a national catastrophe. On that day, the United States is expected to move its embassy to Jerusalem; and it is on that day that West Bankers are expected to take to the streets. Terror attacks against Israel could also take place.
![Palestinian President Yasser Arafat attends a meeting in his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah July, 19, 2004. [Palestinian President Yasser Arafat sought on Monday to defuse a leadership crisis triggered by unprecedented unrest in the Gaza Strip over corruption within his government and security forces.] - RTXMS1N](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2014/02/RTXMS1N.jpg/RTXMS1N.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=VvJL4C5C)