Int’l Runners Compete in West Bank Marathon to Show Solidarity
RAMALLAH (Xinhua) – A marathon game has been held in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, with 10,000 runners from across the world competing in an enthusiastic atmosphere.
Themed “Run for Freedom,” and held by the Ramallah-based Supreme Council for Youth and Sports of the PA, the ninth game saw the participation of 1,800 foreigners from 90 countries and regions.
The race was held to send a message that “Palestinians are looking forward to living in peace and freedom in their independent state,” according to the organizer.
Jacklin Jacob from the Netherlands told Xinhua that he took part in the game to express “solidarity with the Palestinian people who are suffering from the political restrictions imposed on them.”
Nirmeen Qadisiya, a local college student and runner, said she was aspired to see so many foreign friends coming here to stand with Palestinians despite daily Israeli violations in the West Bank.