As part of the graduation ceremony of the Balad Israeli Arab party's summer camp organized by its youth movement, campers went to the Deheishe refugee camp in the Bethlehem area, joined the children of the camp and marched with them in honor of the "martyrs".
According to the report in Yediot Ahronot, the youths and the children marched with PLO flags and shouted, "In spirit and blood we will redeem you O martyr," and "With blood and blood we will redeem you Palestine."
The children were divided into groups that day, with one of them being named after Yasser Arafat.Another group was called "Izz al-Din al-Qassam" - the military wing of Hamas.Two other groups were named after former Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser and Nelson Mandela.
MK Hanin Zoabi (Joint Arab List) wrote on her Facebook page: "The Balad youth camp has ended its 18th year. Balad is proud of its young people and the connection of its activities and its vision to the spirit of struggle, vigor, and sense of power."
Balad responded: "In the camp, which included a visit to Deheishe, a procession was held to express solidarity with its residents, including bereaved families - the victims of the Nakba expulsion and the crimes of the occupation.This is legitimate activity in the framework of freedom of speech. "