Tutu, on Yule Pilgrimage, Backs Palestinian State

South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, in Jerusalem as part of a five-day Christmas pilgrimage, declared his support for an independent Palestinian state Saturday as two Palestinians were killed in Gaza Strip clashes with Israeli troops.

“We support the struggle of the Palestinian people in their longing for statehood and independence,” Tutu told nearly 30 Palestinian dignitaries. “We are struggling for our own self-determination in South Africa.”

Tutu joined Muslim leaders and activists and bowed his head in silent prayer at a memorial to the almost 600 Palestinians slain in 1982 by Israeli-backed Christian militiamen in Lebanon’s Sabra and Chatilla refugee camps.

Tutu also stressed his recognition of Israel’s right to exist and to have its “territorial integrity respected.” Tutu has come under criticism from several Jewish groups for his outspoken support of the Palestinian cause and what the organizations considered anti-Semitic remarks.

Israeli paratroopers ordered holiday shoppers home in the occupied West Bank after a clash with Arab stone throwers in the Gaza Strip town of Rafah ended in two deaths and 12 wounded, Arab reporters said.

The army confirmed that one Arab youth was killed and said the military was investigating the reports of a second death.

The deaths raised the number of Palestinians killed in the two-year uprising against Israeli occupation to 639. Forty Israelis also have died in the violence and Palestinians have killed at least 161 Arabs on suspicion of cooperating with Israeli authorities.

Arab reporters identified the dead youths as Mohammed Hourani, 22, and Aymad Atrash, 17. Hospital officials reported that 21 Palestinians were wounded in scattered clashes with troops throughout Gaza.