Annual Palestinian march cancelled following Israeli threats
For the first time in almost 30 years, the Association for the Defense of the Rights of the Internally Displaced (Adrid) has cancelled its annual march, which is symbolic of Palestinians’ right of return, Middle East Eye reported on April 29th.
The group said their decision was made because of restrictions and threats from Israel’s authorities.
The event, known as the “March of Return,” commemorates the forced displacement of Palestinians since 1948, and had been scheduled to take place in the village of Kafr Sabt in the eastern Lower Galilee. It typically draws tens of thousands of participants.
In a statement, the organisers said the decision to cancel was taken “due to pressure from the Israeli police and the imposition of unreasonable demands.”
They described “systematic obstacles and unprecedented, prohibitive conditions,” which included limiting attendees to 700 people, a prohibition on raising Palestinian flags, and threats of drone surveillance and infiltration.
“All of this reinforced our suspicions of a premeditated plot to harm the participants,” the statement read. Adham Jabareen, a member of Adrid, told Arab48 that dozens of volunteers had “worked day and night” to organise the event, but efforts to secure a permit ultimately failed.
Meanwhile, the United Nations humanitarian agency (OCHA) found that the Israeli conflict displaced 44,285 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank during January and February of 2025, Middle East Eye reported on April 15th.
Adrid said it would continue to hold alternative events, including commemorations of the Nakba and local community initiatives.
“We invite you all to attend the upcoming marches and actively participate in ensuring the success of these national activities. There is no turning back on the right of return,” Adrid said.
Middle East Eye
