Sit-in in Ramallah to protest Obama’s speech

Unions in the West Bank have called on Palestinians to stage mass sit-ins to protest the speech given yesterday by the US President, Barack Obama. The Teachers Union, Union of Health Professionals, Public Services Union and Fatah have all backed the call. Many Palestinians consider Obama’s speech, which called on the Palestinian Authority to withdraw its bid for statehood, a massive disappointment. Moen Ensawi, the head of the Staff Union said that the sit-in will begin at 11am local time on Thursday in front of the tomb of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Mohamed Sawan, the Secretary General of the Teachers Union confirmed that teachers and students support the UN bid. He called on the Ministry of Education, as well as all teachers and students to participate in the sit-in. Osama Al Najjar, the head of the Union of Health Professionals, condemned Obama’s speech, stressing that the sit-in will send a clear message to Obama and the world that the Palestinians will not accept double-standards. Fatah also called for the people of Ramallah and Al Bira to take part in the sit-in. The province’s Secretary General confirmed the widespread disapproval of Obama’s speech, which he thought reflected the Israeli point of view.