August 4, 2013 
Sunday August 04, 2013 06:18 | by Saed Bannoura – IMEMC & Agencies
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Thousands Of Palestinians Welcome Barca
[Saturday Evening August 3, 2013] Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, welcomed at his Presidential Headquarters in the West Bank City of Bethlehem, the players and coach of Barcelona soccer team, who are conducting their first visit to occupied Palestine.
![barca[1]](https://occupiedpalestine.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/barca1.jpg?w=588)
Image By Palestine News Network (PNN)
“This is your first visit to Palestine, but you are always in Palestine, in our homes, our people love you and watch your games”, Abbas said, “You visited the Church of Nativity, and I hope you enjoyed your time in the land of prophets, especially Jesus Christ”.
“We know you carry another message besides sports, you carry a message of peace”, the President said, “We are holding direct peace talks, and we know you also want peace and stability”.
Abbas also told the Barcelona athletes that next time they visit Palestine; they will visit it to celebrate comprehensive peace.
Head of Barcelona club president, Sandro Rossell, stated that the team’s visit to Bethlehem is very important, as the city is the birthplace of Jesus Christ, and represents peace on earth.
Rossell thanked the Palestinian People, and President Abbas, for the warm welcome and added that the team is honored by this visit, and honored by being personally welcomed by President Abbas.
“The timing of this visit is essential, it comes with the beginning of direct peace talks in Washington”, he said, “We hope peace will be achieved, we wish all the children we saw in Bethlehem, and everywhere, will live in peace, because they have hope for the future, if by being in the country Barcelona can help achieve peace, we will always be there”.
It is worth mentioning that various officials, religious leaders, figures representing local NGOs, Palestinian Sports Minister, Jibreel Rajoub, and Palestinian Arab Idol, Mohammad Assaf, also welcome Barca team in Bethlehem.
Rajoub, also the head of the Palestinian Soccer Union, and Rossel, stated that this visit is historical and very important to the Palestinian people, adding that this step is a positive step towards comprehensive peace in the region.
During a press conference with Rossel, Rajoub said that Barca is conducting a “tour of peace, a positive step towards peace in the region”, and added that “one day, all teams, all nations in the region, will play together once the Palestinian State has been established.
Barcelona team also visited the new stadium in the town of Doura, near the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and was welcomed by more than 25.0000 Palestinian fans, many of them wearing Barcelona shirts.
Members of the team also held an hour-long clinic with more than 40 young Palestinian girls and boys, Yahoo Sports has reported.
Related
VIDEO | While @FCBarcelona kicks the ball WITH Palestinian Kids – Israeli army KICKS KIDS!
Video by ISM Palestine
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Related
Messi and his @FCBarcelona Teammates in Palestine – Including Photos
WAFA | Aug 3, 2013
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RAMALLAH, August 3, 2013 (WAFA) – Lionel Messi, the world’s number one football player, and his Barcelona teammates are expected Saturday afternoon in Palestine in their first visit ever to the area.
The Barcelona team is one of the most favored international football clubs in Palestine with loyal fans estimated it the tens of thousands.
The Palestinian dailies dedicated several pages in their Saturday issue to talk about this highly important event, the Catalonian club and its “Peace Tour” in the region, which would also take it to Israel after concluding its Palestine visit.
But while in Palestine, the Palestinian fans are going to enjoy one of the most important moments in their lives: watch the Barcelona team on one of their football fields.
The team is expected to arrive in Bethlehem at 5:00 in the afternoon. It will first visit the historic Church of Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, before meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas at his Bethlehem headquarters.
It will then go to the Dura football stadium in the Hebron area where its fans are going to be waiting to see the players live in the field.
The team is going to do some workout with around 30 Palestinian children, but no real game is scheduled, which for many was a letdown because they will not be able to watch the masters in action.
But before the team arrives at the stadium, Arab Idol winner Muhammad Assaf will entertain the crowds with some of songs they have heard him sing during the Arab Idol contest.
M.S.
Beautiful photos of FC Barcelona in Bethlehem can be viewed at the website of Radio Bethlehem
Click to go to the Album at Radio Bethlehem 2000
Updated Aug 4, 2013
FC Barcelona with the fans in the stadium of Hebron – Photos by Radio Bethlehem 2000
Click to go to the full album of photos by Radio Bethlehem
Related: How Israel assassinated 13 year old Hamid Younis Abu Dagka in Gaza while playing football
Nov 8, 2012
Media sources state a child was killed in a zionist attack by Israeli helicopters East of Khan Younis, Gaza. The name of the Child Shaheed is Hamid Younis Abu Dagka. He became 13 years old and was killed while playing football.
Gaza boy killed by Israel dreamed of becoming soccer player
Read the full story of Hamid. A fan of Real Madrid. A child with a dream.
In support of little Hamid I want to request all soccer/football players and fans to act and send this page or the photo of Hamid to your favorite club or organization with a request to boycott Israel.
To act you can start with retweeting the next tweets:
Below related sources to which you can refer if you want to contact your favorite player/team.
For next year 2013 UEFA U-21 Championship will be the 19th staging of UEFA’s European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament will be hosted by the same Israel that killed Hamid.
Football should not be hosted by a country detaining Palestinian football players like Mahmoud Sarsak who was detained without charges for 3 years and on a hunger strike before released. And it definitely should not be host to a tournament while killing young football playing children.
Awaiting updates, this post will be updated below as soon as more information comes available. Other media report 2 to 3 others have been wounded as well.
Maan News Agency | Initial reports in media at 18:43
Medics: Israeli fire kills boy in south Gaza
An Israeli tank patrols just outside the border with the northern
Gaza Strip Oct. 24, 2012. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
Hamid Younis Abu Daqqa died after Israeli forces targeted houses and farms east of Khan Younis, according to Ashraf al-Qidra, a medical spokesman in Gaza.
Medics said the boy was hit by machine gun fire, either from Israeli helicopters or tanks that took part in the incident.
A spokeswoman said the Israeli military had no immediate comment.
Israeli military vehicles briefly penetrated the southern Gaza Strip earlier Thursday morning, leading to clashes with Palestinian militants.
The Popular Resistance Committees said its gunmen had confronted an Israeli force of four tanks and a bulldozer involved in a short-range incursion beyond Israel’s border fence with the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian fighters said they detonated an explosive device by an Israeli military vehicle near Khuzaa, east of Khan Younis.
Witnesses said Israeli forces fired a shell at Palestinian farmers. A Ma’an reporter said intensive gunfire could be heard in the area.
Earlier a military spokeswoman said Israeli troops came under fire during “routine activity” in the area, and returned fire in the direction of the suspects.
No injuries were reported in that incident.
Also Thursday, a Palestinian man was wounded when a home-made bomb exploded in central Gaza, a medical official said.
Al-Qidra, the Gaza ministry of health spokesman, said that a 23-year-old was moderately wounded in al-Maghazi refugee camp. He was transferred to al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah.
(end)
Live Updates
Photography
An Israeli tank patrols just outside the border with the northern Gaza Strip Oct. 24, 2012. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
- A Palestinian mourns the death of Ahmed Abu Dagah, who was killed by gunfire from Israeli forces, at the morgue of a hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip November 8, 2012. Gunfire from Israeli forces killed a Palestinian boy, Abu Dagah, in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, local medics said, during border clashes between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants. Israeli military officials said soldiers who were engaged in “routine activity” adjacent to the security fence came under attack from Palestinian militants and responded “by firing at suspicious locations”. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
- The body of Hmeid Abu Daqqa, 13, is pictured at the morgue of a hospital in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip on November 8, 2012. Daqqa died after being hit by bullets fired from an Israeli helicopter in the Gaza Strip, a medical official told AFP. AFP PHOTO/ SAID KHATIB
- A Palestinian relative of Hmeid Abu Daqqa, 13, bids him farewell at the morgue of a hospital in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip on November 8, 2012. Daqqa died after being hit by bullets fired from an Israeli helicopter in the Gaza Strip, a medical official told AFP. AFP PHOTO/ SAID KHATIB
- A Palestinian medical examiner uncovers the body of Hmeid Abu Daqqa, 13, at the morgue of a hospital in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip on November 8, 2012. Daqqa died after being hit by bullets fired from an Israeli helicopter in the Gaza Strip, a medical official told AFP. AFP PHOTO/ SAID KHATIB
- Funeral of child shaheed 13 year old Hamid Younis Abu Dagka in Gaza – Nov 9, 2012
- Funeral of child shaheed 13 year old Hamid Younis Abu Dagka in Gaza – Nov 9, 2012
- Funeral of child shaheed 13 year old Hamid Younis Abu Dagka in Gaza – Nov 9, 2012
- Palestinians carry the body of Ahmed Abu Dagah, who was killed by gunfire from Israeli forces, during his funeral in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip November 9, 2012. Gunfire from Israeli forces killed the Palestinian boy, Abu Dagah, in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, local medics said, during border clashes between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants. Israeli military officials said soldiers who were engaged in “routine activity” adjacent to the security fence came under attack from Palestinian militants and responded “by firing at suspicious locations”. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
- The mother of Ahmed Abu Dagah, who was killed by gunfire from Israeli forces, mourns during his funeral in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip November 9, 2012. Gunfire from Israeli forces killed the Palestinian boy, Abu Dagah, in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, local medics said, during border clashes between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants. Israeli military officials said soldiers who were engaged in “routine activity” adjacent to the security fence came under attack from Palestinian militants and responded “by firing at suspicious locations”. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
- Palestinians relatives of Ahmed Abu Dagah, who was killed by gunfire from Israeli forces, mourn during his funeral in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip November 9, 2012. Gunfire from Israeli forces killed the Palestinian boy, Abu Dagah, in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, local medics said, during border clashes between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants. Israeli military officials said soldiers who were engaged in “routine activity” adjacent to the security fence came under attack from Palestinian militants and responded “by firing at suspicious locations”. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
- Palestinians mourn next the body of Ahmed Abu Dagah, who was killed by gunfire from Israeli forces, during his funeral in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip November 9, 2012. Gunfire from Israeli forces killed the Palestinian boy, Abu Dagah, in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, local medics said, during border clashes between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants. Israeli military officials said soldiers who were engaged in “routine activity” adjacent to the security fence came under attack from Palestinian militants and responded “by firing at suspicious locations”. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
- Funeral of Hamid Younis Abu Daqqa, ‘Abassan al Kabira, Gaza Strip, 9.11.2012 Funeral of Hamid Younis Abu Daqqa, shot the day before by the Israeli army with a machine gun from an helicopter, in ‘Abassan al Kabira, east of Khan Yunis, gaza Strip, november 9, 2012. Hamid was killed in front of his home located around 1 kilometer from the Green Line. Constant shootings and attacks make it very dangerous for Palestinian to live near the so-called no-go zone imposed unilatarally by the Israeli army. Photo by: Anne Paq/Activestills.org
- Funeral of Hamid Younis Abu Daqqa, ‘Abassan al Kabira, Gaza Strip, 9.11.2012 Funeral of Hamid Younis Abu Daqqa, shot the day before by the Israeli army with a machine gun from an helicopter, in ‘Abassan al Kabira, east of Khan Yunis, gaza Strip, november 9, 2012. Hamid was killed in front of his home located around 1 kilometer from the Green Line. Constant shootings and attacks make it very dangerous for Palestinian to live near the so-called no-go zone imposed unilatarally by the Israeli army. Photo by: Anne Paq/Activestills.org
- Funeral of Hamid Younis Abu Daqqa, ‘Abassan al Kabira, Gaza Strip, 9.11.2012 The sister (right) of Hamid Younis Abu Daqqa mours her brother, shot the day before by the Israeli army with a machine gun from an helicopter, in ‘Abassan al Kabira, east of Khan Yunis, gaza Strip, november 9, 2012. Hamid was killed in front of his home located around 1 kilometer from the Green Line. Constant shootings and attacks make it very dangerous for Palestinian to live near the so-called no-go zone imposed unilatarally by the Israeli army. Photo by: Anne Paq/Activestills.org
- Funeral of Hamid Younis Abu Daqqa, ‘Abassan al Kabira, Gaza Strip, 9.11.2012 Funeral of Hamid Younis Abu Daqqa, shot the day before by the Israeli army with a machine gun from an helicopter, in ‘Abassan al Kabira, east of Khan Yunis, gaza Strip, november 9, 2012. Hamid was killed in front of his home located around 1 kilometer from the Green Line. Constant shootings and attacks make it very dangerous for Palestinian to live near the so-called no-go zone imposed unilatarally by the Israeli army. Photo by: Anne Paq/Activestills.org
- Palestinians mourn next the body of Ahmed Abu Dagah, who was killed by gunfire from Israeli forces, during his funeral in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip November 9, 2012. Gunfire from Israeli forces killed the Palestinian boy, Abu Dagah, in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, local medics said, during border clashes between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants. Israeli military officials said soldiers who were engaged in “routine activity” adjacent to the security fence came under attack from Palestinian militants and responded “by firing at suspicious locations”. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
- A Palestinian relative of Ahmed Abu Dagah, who was killed by gunfire from Israeli forces, mourns over his body during his funeral in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip November 9, 2012. Gunfire from Israeli forces killed the Palestinian boy, Abu Dagah, in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, local medics said, during border clashes between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants. Israeli military officials said soldiers who were engaged in “routine activity” adjacent to the security fence came under attack from Palestinian militants and responded “by firing at suspicious locations”. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
- People bury Ahmed Abu-Daqa, 11, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012. It was not clear who shot the boy. Palestinian militants and Israeli forces were exchanging fire at the time when the boy was killed Thursday evening. Photo by AP
- Photo via tuttosport.com
- Photo by Xinhua
- Photo by Xinhua
- The funeral of 13 year old child Hamid Younis Abu Dagka killed by Israel on Nov 8, 2012 buried in Gaza on Nov 9, 2012 | Photo via Paldf.netPhoto via Paldf.net
- The funeral of 13 year old child Hamid Younis Abu Dagka killed by Israel on Nov 8, 2012 buried in Gaza on Nov 9, 2012 | Photo via Paldf.net
- The funeral of 13 year old child Hamid Younis Abu Dagka killed by Israel on Nov 8, 2012 buried in Gaza on Nov 9, 2012 | Photo via Paldf.net
- The funeral of 13 year old child Hamid Younis Abu Dagka killed by Israel on Nov 8, 2012 buried in Gaza on Nov 9, 2012 | Photo via Paldf.net
- The funeral of 13 year old child Hamid Younis Abu Dagka killed by Israel on Nov 8, 2012 buried in Gaza on Nov 9, 2012 | Photo via Paldf.net
- The funeral of 13 year old child Hamid Younis Abu Dagka killed by Israel on Nov 8, 2012 buried in Gaza on Nov 9, 2012 | Photo via Paldf.net
More photography
- Photos by Ali Jadallah – Demotix
Video
Watch: Israeli Troops Kill Palestinian Boy in Gaza | Democracy Now
In Media
- Nov 8, 2012 | ALERTE – Gaza: un Palestinien mineur tué dans un raid aérien israélien | Romandie.com
- Nov 8, 2012 | وكـالــة مـعـا الاخباريـة: استشهاد طفل بقصف اسرائيلي شرق خانيونس | Maan Arabic
- Nov 8, 2012 | Palestinian teenager killed by Israeli fire in Gaza | PressTV
- Nov 8, 2012 | Israeli gunfire kills Palestinian boy in Gaza clash: medics | Reuters
- Nov 9, 2012 | Hundreds attend funeral of Gazan teen killed by Israel | PressTV
- Nov 9, 2012 | Palestinian child killed in Gaza by Israeli gunfire | PIC
- Nov 10, 2012 | Funeral held for boy killed in Gaza while playing soccer | CNN
For who does not understand the need or concept of resistance of Palestine, recommended read: The History of Resistance | The Eagle of Palestine
- Special Topic | All Israeli Massacres on Palestinians
- iRemember… | Confirmed Names of Martyrs Occupation 2011 *
- Special Topic | Ethnic Cleansing
- Israeli escalation in Gaza | A “cover-up for settlement activity
- UN: Israel killed 2,300 & injured 7,700 people in Gaza in 5 years | Source
- The Palestinian Right of Self Defense
MYTHS & FACTS ABOUT THE ROCKETS FROM GAZA
- The “Rocket” from Gaza Myth – Photography
- More facts about the Rocket from Gaza Myths – Storify
- Half the story: What @IDFSpokesperson leaves out about #Gaza ~ by @yousefmunayyer
- Israel and #Gaza: Context Behind Projectile Fire ~ by @yousefmunayyer
- Truths and lies behind Israel’s attacks on Gaza and its whining about rockets ~ by @AliAbunimah
- Israel is not looking for peace. Nor talks. But: This
FEATURED
- March 23, 2012 | Gaza Siege Harshness Continues. Israel’s committing slow-motion genocide ~ by Stephen Lendman
- March 18, 2012 | A “Leaflet” to the World about it’s own “forgotten” Extermination Camp called Gaza
PHOTOGRAPHY
Click on the thumbnails to view the full albums
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack Nov 8, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack Nov 5, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack Oct 29, 2012 |
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 Photos #GazaUnderAttack Oct 28, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack Oct 24, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack Oct 22, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack Oct 7, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack Sept 29, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack Sept 19, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack Sept 10, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack – Sept 6, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack Aug 5, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack July 12, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack June 23, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack June 1-22, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack May 17, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack April 4, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack March 14, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack March 13, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack March 12, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack March 11, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack March 10, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack March 20, 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack February 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack January 2012 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack December 2011 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack Oct & Nov 2011 |
 Photos #GazaUnderAttack Aug-Sept 2011 |
 PHOTOS | Israel’s Massacre Cast Lead on Gaza 2008-2009 |
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ஜ۩۞۩ஜ
Martyred By Israeli Occupation Attacks
انّا للہ و انّا الیه راجعون
May Allah Subhana wa Ta’ ala grant the Shuhada Jannatul Firdaus, and ease it for their families, loved ones and anyone around them. Allahumma Ameen ya Rabbil Alameen. ‘ Inna Lillahi wa ‘ Inna ‘ Ilayhi Raji’un, Allahu Akbar
ஜ۩۞۩ஜ
* The list of shuhada does not display, the numerous victims of the zionist occupation which are undocumented by media. Nor it displays the victims of the “silent onslaught” due to restrictions of movement, ability to go to hospitals for treatment or life saving surgery, due to lack of medication because of the blockades and so on. For example: The Slow Motion Genocide by the Siege on Gaza only, killed 600 patients since Gaza got under Israeli Siege.
For an overview of All Israeli Massacres Palestinians go here
Neither does this list, display the avoidable mortality. A clear and statistical factual evidence, about the number of deaths due to indecent ruling by occupation forces. For even an occupier has obligations under International Laws, Geneva Convention and the Hague regulations, which it is neglecting. These circumstances, together with deliberate policies of the occupier to neglect and even deny every basic human right, severes avoidable mortality which is totally silenced by media or reporting organisations. While in the Holocaust, 1 on 6 Jewish people directly died of deliberate neglect, so if we believe the facts over 1 million due to avoidable mortality, neither should these same circumstances be ignores which are ongoing in Palestine. For this report displays a avoidable morality of at least 0,5 million Palestinians.
How many more dead corpses of Palestinians does the international community need to see in order to act? How many more cruelties and violations of Human Rights, Regulations and International Law will be needed to intervene so this ongoing warcrime is being stopped once and for all.
Occupied Palestine | فلسطين 
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