freepalestine
3rd August 2010, 18:52
PFLP organizes a race against division through the streets of Gaza (see pictures)
The Square of the Unknown Soldier in Gaza City was draped in red to celebrate the race organized by the Sports Committee of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Gaa under the slogan, "No to division, Yes to national unity!" Hundreds of runners from the various areas of Gaza registered to run in the race, which was attended by many cadres, leaders and members of the PFLP, including Comrades Dr. Mariam Abu Daqqa, Dr. Rabah Muhanna, Kayed al-Ghoul and a large crowd of citizens.
Comrade Muhanna blew the starting whistle for the race, which began from the Unknown Soldier statue in Gaza, along Omar Mukhtar Street, through the Shujaiya neighborhood, to al-Wahda street, and returning to the Unknown Soldier. The first-place finisher was Nader el-Masri from Beit Hanoun, Omar Abu Saida of Gaza City took second place, Azmi Majayda of Khan Younis took third, Dhia Khdair came in fourth place, and the fifth-place finisher was Islam al-Rahbeilat.
Comrade Louay Za'anin, member of the PFLP Central Committee in the Gaza Strip and the leader of the Sports Commission, delivered a speech on behalf of the Front, saying that this athletic event expresses the pain and commitment of our people, calling for an end to division and restoration of clear national unity on sound principles. He said the division affected all areas of Palestinian life, including sports, and made Palestinians less able to confront the pressures and conspiracies aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause.
He also emphasized that the siege and blockade of Gaza has devastated Palestinian sports and hindered Palestinian athletes' participation in tournaments and international athletic camps and events. He denounced the newest action from the Arab Follow-up Committee calling for the resumption of direct negotiations with the occupier, saying that these negotiations provide a cover for the occupation's crimes and help to protect the occupier from the rising international movement to isolate Israel. He called upon Arab states to support the Palestinian struggle and steadfastness and stop performing to the wishes of the U.S. and Israel. He also called on all the forces of our people to raise their voices to express their refusal to return to these absurd and dangerous negotiations, and instead emphasize the need to address internal Palestinian affairs and end the disastrous division as a priority and an urgent national need.
Comrade Za'anin called upon Palestinian media institutions, including the Palestinian sports media, to take a role in this area towards ending division and restoring unity, the supreme interest of the Palestinian people in all sectors. He called for strengthening of coordination and standardization efforts in the sports arena to support athletes and national athletic programs.
In conclusion, he greeted and thanked all those involved in the organization of the event, stressing the PFLP's dedication to work in all political and social areas, including athletics, in order to reinforce the steadfastness of our people and the struggle to end the occupation and achieving the goals of our people of freedom, self-determination, liberation and return.
Nabil Mabrouk of the Palestinian Federation of Athletics spoke, reviewing achievements and objectives of the Palestinian Federation of Athletics, including the development of sports teams among Palestinian youth and highlighting the young athletes in order to be able to represent Palestine in Arab and international athletic competition. The top ten runners were provided medals and certificates, and all of the institutions who assisted in the program were thanked, including the Union of Health Work Committees, Maghazi Cultural
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20219.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20223.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20227.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20246.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20249.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20250.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20252.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20253.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20255.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20257.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20269.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20285.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20297.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/?q=pflp-organizes-race-against-division-through-stree
The Square of the Unknown Soldier in Gaza City was draped in red to celebrate the race organized by the Sports Committee of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Gaa under the slogan, "No to division, Yes to national unity!" Hundreds of runners from the various areas of Gaza registered to run in the race, which was attended by many cadres, leaders and members of the PFLP, including Comrades Dr. Mariam Abu Daqqa, Dr. Rabah Muhanna, Kayed al-Ghoul and a large crowd of citizens.
Comrade Muhanna blew the starting whistle for the race, which began from the Unknown Soldier statue in Gaza, along Omar Mukhtar Street, through the Shujaiya neighborhood, to al-Wahda street, and returning to the Unknown Soldier. The first-place finisher was Nader el-Masri from Beit Hanoun, Omar Abu Saida of Gaza City took second place, Azmi Majayda of Khan Younis took third, Dhia Khdair came in fourth place, and the fifth-place finisher was Islam al-Rahbeilat.
Comrade Louay Za'anin, member of the PFLP Central Committee in the Gaza Strip and the leader of the Sports Commission, delivered a speech on behalf of the Front, saying that this athletic event expresses the pain and commitment of our people, calling for an end to division and restoration of clear national unity on sound principles. He said the division affected all areas of Palestinian life, including sports, and made Palestinians less able to confront the pressures and conspiracies aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause.
He also emphasized that the siege and blockade of Gaza has devastated Palestinian sports and hindered Palestinian athletes' participation in tournaments and international athletic camps and events. He denounced the newest action from the Arab Follow-up Committee calling for the resumption of direct negotiations with the occupier, saying that these negotiations provide a cover for the occupation's crimes and help to protect the occupier from the rising international movement to isolate Israel. He called upon Arab states to support the Palestinian struggle and steadfastness and stop performing to the wishes of the U.S. and Israel. He also called on all the forces of our people to raise their voices to express their refusal to return to these absurd and dangerous negotiations, and instead emphasize the need to address internal Palestinian affairs and end the disastrous division as a priority and an urgent national need.
Comrade Za'anin called upon Palestinian media institutions, including the Palestinian sports media, to take a role in this area towards ending division and restoring unity, the supreme interest of the Palestinian people in all sectors. He called for strengthening of coordination and standardization efforts in the sports arena to support athletes and national athletic programs.
In conclusion, he greeted and thanked all those involved in the organization of the event, stressing the PFLP's dedication to work in all political and social areas, including athletics, in order to reinforce the steadfastness of our people and the struggle to end the occupation and achieving the goals of our people of freedom, self-determination, liberation and return.
Nabil Mabrouk of the Palestinian Federation of Athletics spoke, reviewing achievements and objectives of the Palestinian Federation of Athletics, including the development of sports teams among Palestinian youth and highlighting the young athletes in order to be able to represent Palestine in Arab and international athletic competition. The top ten runners were provided medals and certificates, and all of the institutions who assisted in the program were thanked, including the Union of Health Work Committees, Maghazi Cultural
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20219.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20223.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20227.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20246.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20249.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20250.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20252.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20253.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20255.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20257.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20269.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20285.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/images/fw/____%20297.jpg
http://www.pflp.ps/english/?q=pflp-organizes-race-against-division-through-stree