Palestinians Sail from Lebanon's Sidon to Mark Nakba Day

The vessels that moved in formation and hoisted the Palestinian flags sailed south along the coast of Sidon toward Palestine, to symbolize their hope of returning to their land.

The Palestinians had rallied at the Sidon sea fortress since the early hours of the morning to take part in the symbolic event.

May 15 is the day on which Palestinians remember their expulsion from Palestine, where Israel was founded in 1948.

"The Nakba reached its 68th year and we (Palestinians) are dispersed across the world away from our beloved Palestine which has been taken by the Jews," head of Tawasol association Assef Moussa told The Daily Star.

He said that the move is a message to the children that Palestine still exists and that "we will return no matter how long it takes."

Children, holding Lebanese and Palestinian flags, chanted slogans against Israel.

Palestinian camps across Lebanon had set up programs throughout May to commemorate the Nakba.

The first refugees to emerge from the Nakba were witnessed by Sidonians 66 years ago, when thousands of Palestinian refugee families erected tents and settled in the city, in an area known today as the camp of Ain al-Hilweh.

Elsewhere, Palestinian factions rallied outside the British Embassy in Beirut's Zoqaq al-Blat neighborhood to mark the Nakba day and protest the UNRWA's health care modifications.

A statement received by The Daily Star said demonstrators held placards holding Britain responsible for the Nakba and accusing it of "backing Zionist gangs."

Secretary of the popular committees in Lebanon and Fatah's military commander Abu Ayad Shaalan told protesters that the "crisis committee will hand over to British ambassador to Lebanon [Hugo Shorter] a letter that urges his country to work in favor of the Palestinian people.

"Britain is responsible for the exodus and humiliation of the Palestinians in Lebanon," he said, calling on Britain to support UNRWA to conduct its duties.

Palestinians living in Lebanon's 12 refugee camps have been protesting UNRWA's health care modifications since January.

Under the new guidelines, Palestinians are required to pay referral care costs of 5 percent if they receive treatment at a Palestinian Red Crescent hospital, 15 percent at a government hospital, and 20 percent at a private hospital.

Those health care benefits were free at all three types of institutions.

However, UNRWA argues that this isn’t a cut in service because more funding is now directed toward other areas, including expanded coverage for complex surgery and long-term care. The relief agency now covers 60 percent of tertiary care expenses, up from 50 percent, to a ceiling of $5,000, up from $4,200. They say this shift represents changing health care needs.

Many Palestinians believe these changes to health services are part of a bigger plan to cut much-needed aid.