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6 killed as Palestinians mark Independence day

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November 16, 2000 

JERUSALEM-- (UNB/AP) - Palestinians marked their symbolic independence day Wednesday with angry funeral processions, rock-throwing and gun battles, and said they will keep fighting Israel until they have a state of their own. Six Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in confrontations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

There had been some expectations that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat would proclaim a state Wednesday, the anniversary of a symbolic statehood declaration he made in exile in Algeria on Nov. 15, 1988. However, Palestinian officials have said a unilaterally declared state was not viable because Arafat rules disjointed areas of land.

In contrast to previous independence days, Arafat did not plan to address his people. In his only public appearance Wednesday, he did not mention the anniversary, saying only it was the world's responsibility to get peace talks back on track.

Israel also said its goal was to resume negotiations, but that it would not agree to do so as long as violence persists. "We are in the middle of a march of folly, and this tragic situation needs to be brought to an end," said Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami.

Arafat had said a Palestinian state would be established in 2000, but after seven weeks of Israeli-Palestinian fighting, he is no longer under pressure to deliver on that promise. "We are not disappointed because we are continuing our struggle and the struggle needs some time," said Marwan Abdel Hamed, a Palestinian legislator.

The anniversary came as Israel enforced a tight blockade of Palestinian towns and villages for a second day Wednesday, paralyzing life in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The blockade served as a reminder to Palestinians that it will be difficult to establish a state without Israel's cooperation.

U.S. President Bill Clinton, meanwhile, said his biggest regret may be his failure to reconcile Israel and the Palestinians. "I really wanted with all my heart to finish the Oslo peace process," Clinton said in a visit to Brunei, adding that the violence must stop before talks can resume. "You know, somebody has got to quit shooting," said Clinton, who spoke at length with Arafat by phone on Tuesday evening.

After the conversation with Clinton, Arafat issued an order that Palestinian gunmen stop firing at Israelis from populated Palestinian areas, so as not to draw return fire and risk the killing of Palestinian civilians, a senior Palestinian official said.

However, just hours after Arafat's order, Palestinian gunmen shot at Israeli soldiers from an unfinished apartment highrise on the outskirts of the West Bank town of Ramallah. Troops returned fire, and shot a rocket into the building.

In other violence, six Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire Wednesday - two at the Karni crossing between Israel and Gaza, two in the West Bank town of Tulkarem, one in Hebron and one in Jericho. In addition, a Palestinian died Wednesday in Gaza of wounds sustained earlier. At least 36 Palestinians were wounded Wednesday, doctors said. Since Sept. 28, 217 people have been killed, the vast majority Palestinians.

Independence day was marked with funeral processions for two children, 13-year-old Mohammed Ijla from Gaza City and 15-year-old Fader Barsh from the West Bank refugee camp of Al Amari, both killed by Israeli fire the day before.