News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Lebanese Arabs plan a massive march of 100,000 people next Wednesday, when Israel celebrates Independence Day, according to the Post. The Palestinian Authority (PA) has been orchestrating the planned march of Arabs who claim to be descendants of families who fled Israel during the War for Independence in 1948. The action is aimed at gaining maximum media exposure, with marchers equipped with United Nations flags and identity cards supplied by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Hamas terrorist leaders in Gaza have threatened similar marches on the Erez crossing in northern Gaza, less than five miles from Ashkelon. The PA simultaneously has announced it will not receive officials who visit Israel to help celebrate the holiday. Among those visiting is American President George W. Bush, whose aides already have stated that the PA is not on his travel agenda.