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March 20, 2013 Wednesday 9 Nisan 5773 6:07 ISTSelect Language

Photo by: Reuters

Bethlehem rioters set fire to pictures ofObamaBy KHALED ABU TOAMEH

18/03/2013

In preparation for US president's Mideast visit, protestors say he is not welcome in

their city, throw shoes at US diplomatic vehicle.

Palestinians in Bethlehem set fire to pictures of US President Barack Obama on Monday, saying he was notwelcome in their city.

Scores of protesters gathered near Manger Square and threw shoes at a US diplomatic vehicle as it arrived atthe scene as part of preparations for Obamas visit to the city later this week.

The protesters also set fire to signs posted in the city earlier this week reminding Obama that Palestinians stilldont have 3G communications technology.

Similar anti-Obama demonstrations are expected to take place in Ramallah and other Palestinian cities in thecoming days.

Palestinian Authority policemen did not intervene to stop the Bethlehem demonstrators from burning thepictures of Obama.

A PA security officer said that the PA would not act against those who seek permission to protest againstObamas visit.

There were even indications that the PA leadership was encouraging or initiating some of the protests.

At the Bethlehem demonstration, some protesters carried a placard belonging to the PA Ministry of Detaineesand Ex-Detainees that read: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatmentor punishment.

The protesters also trampled on Obamas picture, chanting, America is the head of the snake.

We came here today to tell Obama that we dont want 3G in Palestine, said Samir Odeh, a Fatah activist in

Bethlehem. We want a state, the release of prisoners and an end to settlement construction.

We also want to see our refugees return to their homes.

Waving a shoe in his hand, Fayez Mansour of the Dehaishe refugee camp near Bethlehem said that Obamawas not welcome in the city.

We wont receive Obama with flowers and a red carpet, he declared. We will receive him with shoes. Wewant to tell America that we hate you and you have no place here. We dont want to see Obama in Palestine.He is coming to save Israel. He does not have anything to offer our people.

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Another protester who asked not to be identified said many Palestinians in the city were opposed to Obamasvisit, especially since he has made it clear that he is coming as a pilgrim.

The Palestinians, he added, have sent a message to Obama that he is not welcome in the Palestinianterritories.

Obama is coming to help the Israelis, he said. He is not coming to help the Palestinians. He has beensupporting Israeli occupation and oppression of our people.

Mazen al-Azza, one of the organizers of the anti-Obama protest, said that the main objective of thepresidents visit was to support Israel politically and militarily.

Obama is not welcome in Palestine, Azza said. He has done nothing for the Palestinians.

He does not care about the Palestinian prisoners who are being held in Israel.

Ahlam al-Wahsh, another activist, said that Obama would be welcome in Bethlehem only if he manages tosecure the release of Palestinian prisoners and stop settlement construction.

Meanwhile, US helicopters landed at the PA presidential compound in Ramallah on Monday as part of

preparations for Obamas visit.

PA officials said that the helicopters were rehearsing the arrival of Obama in Ramallah. The officials deniedthat the helicopters were carrying US security guards.

The arrival of the helicopters in Ramallah drew strong protests from some Palestinians, who said they toowere opposed to Obamas visit.

As one of the helicopters hovered over the compound, a woman standing near the area shouted, AllahuAkbar! Obama is not welcome in Palestine. He is an Israeli agent.

Earlier, PA officials said that the Americans would be in charge of security arrangements during Obamas visit

to Ramallah and Bethlehem.

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