Ramallah (West Bank): Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad reprimanded Israel today for triumphantly celebrating its 60th birthday before having reached a peace deal with the Palestinians.

Such festivities are out of place as long as Israel rules over the Palestinians, the usually mild-mannered Fayyad said in a speech marking the flipside of Israel's independence, the uprooting of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the 1948 war over Israel's creation. Palestinians call it their "nakba," or catastrophe.

"I direct my speech ... To the people of Israel, to say how can you? " Fayyad said in marking the anniversary. "How can you celebrate and the Palestinian people are suffering from your settlements and the crimes of your settlers and the siege of your state and the conduct of your occupying army?"

"There is no meaning to celebration if we don't celebrate together, with a fair peace," he added.

Israel celebrated the 60th anniversary of its May 14, 1948 independence declaration with great fanfare last week, following the Hebrew calendar. Israel is hosting another round of festivities this week and will be joined by foreign leaders, including US President George W. Bush.

Palestinians will hold their "nakba" memorials Thursday.

Plans include flying thousands of black balloons in a show of mourning, rallies in the West Bank and Gaza and the screening of films about Palestinian history.

Source : PTI