Jun 4, 2011

Arabs Prepare to March on Israel's Borders

Ryan JonesBy Ryan Jones
Israel Today

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The Israeli army this week was busy readying itself for the next pan-Arab assault on Israel's borders, scheduled for Sunday.

Two weeks ago, Arabs from Lebanon, Syria and Gaza marched on Israel's borders in an effort to infiltrate the Jewish state en masse. They were marking Nakba Day - the Day of Catastrophe when Israel was reborn as a nation-state.

The Nakba Day demonstrations saw at least 100 Syrians cross into the Golan Heights, where many clashed with Israeli soldiers.

The upcoming demonstration will mark "Naksa Day" - the Day of the Setback, the anniversary of the start of the Six Day War in 1967. Demonstrations are planned for Sunday and Tuesday. Sunday, which is the actual anniversary of the war, is expected to see the largest confrontations.

Israeli forces are determined that there will be no border breaches this time, but that the Arabs will also not score a public relations victory by baiting the IDF into killing demonstrators.

Israeli soldiers have been ordered to first shout for the demonstrators to halt if they approach the border. If the demonstrators continue to advance, the Israelis will fire warning shots in the air. If that doesn't work, the soldiers are authorized to direct non-lethal fire at the demonstrators' lower extremities.

Reports out of Lebanon suggest that some 100,000 may participate in Sunday's march. But the Lebanese army has also suggested it will not allow any of them to reach the border.


Related Links


PM: We will protect borders with determination, restraint - Jerusalem Post
Demonstrations feared as trigger for assault on Israel - WND.com (Joseph Farah)
IDF gearing for next wave of Palestinian protests - YNET News
Israel Prepared for Sunday Border Protests - Christian Broadcasting Network
Rights Groups: 63 Dead in Syrian Protests - Voice of America