Amman - Osama Arrantissi
Tens of thousands of Jordanians are taking part in a march towards the border with Palestine as participants in the Global March to Jerusalem which has been embraced by a a large number of countries. Peace activists and solidarity participants from more than 80 countries are joining the rally, in addition to thousands of citizens from every province in the Jordanian Kingdom. Islamist leaders, national figures, and opposition leaders and parties are also taking part. The region of the Jordan Valley, particularly Al Kafrayn, is witnessing a heavy security and media presence. Security forces prevented cars from entering the area creating serious congestion according to the organisers of the festival. The Jordanian security spokesman, Mohamed al-Khatib denied this. Marchers raised placards opposing the \"Zionist occupation\", in addition to waving the national flags of Palestine and Jordan. The huge rally from several areas in Jordan, began on Friday at dawn. Friday prayers were held in Al Kafrayn, about two kilometres from the Palestinian border. According to the organisers, Al Kafrayn was selected as it is the closest Jordanian point to the city of Jerusalem. Four rabbis from the Neturei Karta anti-Israel movement, arrived at the starting point of the march raising a banner written in Hebrew which read \"Judaism calls for the freedom of Jerusalem and all Palestine.\" One of the rabbis said that they were both supporting the Palestinians and to make the point that \"Judaism is different from Zionism.\" Upon the arrival of the rabbis, a verbal altercation occurred with some of the participants who cursed the Jewish religions figures and accused them of treason. Amongst the marchers were Malaysians who had travelled thousands of miles to support “our Palestinian brethren.” They hoped that their presence would inform the world about how \"prestigious Jerusalem is to the Palestinian people.\" A public festival is to be held which will include a speech by Jordan\'s former Prime Minister Ahmad Obeidat, and Ribhi Halloum, the General Coordinator of the Global March to Jerusalem (GMJ) and the Head of the GMJ International Executive Committee. Speeches will be delivered by a representative from five different continents. The festival will also include folkloric and national music.