Thousands of Palestinians took part in a rally today which was held in the center of Ramallah city in the West Bank, in support of President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

The rally, called for by President Abbas’s ruling Fatah Movement, underscored the importance of consolidating national unity and upholding the Palestinian national project of independence and statehood. The rally also sent a message of support to the PLO as the sole representative of the Palestinian people.

The protesters waved Palestine and Fatah flags as well as banners supporting the Palestinian leadership under the PLO.

The protesters also waved banners and chanted slogans that expressed support for Palestinian citizens facing an Israeli threat of eviction in the occupied Jerusalem neighborhoods of Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan.

The protesters chanted slogans in support of the Palestinian anti-colonization movement in the villages of Beita, Kafr Qaddum, Ni’lin and Masafer Yatta.

The protesters also voiced support for the Palestinian security forces in their commitment to achieve the rule of law in the country.

Mahmoud al-Aloul, deputy leader of Fatah Movement, addressed the crowd: “We tell everyone that our main battle is for Jerusalem and our land, for which we sacrifice. We have to be up to this challenge, which requires our unity and cohesion.”

“Despite the pain, we call for unity, which is what President Mahmoud Abbas called for in the last meeting of the Fatah Revolutionary Council. Our only dispute is with the [Israeli] occupation, and everyone should be aware of that.”

Source: Palestinian News & Info Agency