Israeli paratroopers stand in front of the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City in June 1967 after it was captured during the Middle East War, widely known as the Six-Day War, in this picture released on Monday by the Israeli Government Press Office. - Reuters

JERUSALEM (Reuters):

Palestinians expressed sadness while Israelis voiced pride yesterday on the 40th anniversary of the start of a brief war that changed all their lives.

In Jerusalem's Old City, seized by Israel in what would be called the Six-Day War, there was the usual bustle. Jews and Arabs ran errands and foreign tourists sought out bazaar bargains and sites sacred to Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

"Today, life is normal. But the sadness is inside every person," said a 51-year-old Palestinian stall holder, who gave his name as Samir. "This is a bad day because we're still seeking our freedom."

A unique day

Palestinians remember June 5 for the 'naksa', or setback, of Israel's lightning 1967 victory over Arab armies that followed the 'nakba' - disaster - of Israel's founding in 1948, when many were driven from or fled their lands, becoming refugees.

But a few streets away in the walled city's Jewish quarter, a shopkeeper said Palestinians should accept the situation.

"We should show the world that this is a unique day for Israel," said jewellery store owner Perla Daisey Filiba, 51.

"The Arabs across the alley should accept us being here and they should know that Israel is the land of the Jewish people ... and Jerusalem is our capital."

Israel controlled the city's western suburbs from 1948 butJordanian troops on the eastern side of the 'Green Line' established by a ceasefire in fighting that year gave Jews little access to their most sacred site, the Western Wall.

"I feel very proud today because now the Western Wall belongs to the Jewish people," said Filiba.