Program for the Commemoration of the Palestinian Sixtieth Nakba
According to this Ha’aretz article, Israel has protested to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon over his use of the word “Nakba” in a phone call to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian PM. The Nakba refers to the ethnic cleansing of over 750,000 Palestinians, two thirds of their population, just prior and following Israel’s declaration of independence in May 1948.
About it, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni stated the following
(The) Palestinians will be able to celebrate their independence day on the same day that the word “nakba” or catastrophe is erased from their lexicon.
In truth, Livni’s remark suggested that the Palestinians should forget their history. Mark Elf of Jews sans frontiers called it a “Zionist war on reality.”
But that reality is being celebrated this month in Israel as well as the Palestinian territories as witnessed by these photos, which capture a selection of the demonstrations, as recorded by the Alternative Information Center.
Thousands of Palestinians and Internationals marched through the streets of Beit Sahour in commemoration of 60 years since the Palestinian Nakba
Palestinian children launched 21,915 (365 days x 60 years) black balloons over the skies of Jerusalem
Palestinian youth from the Bethlehem region on the march
Local youth scouts marching band
Palestinian and Israeli demonstration was held at Damascus Gate in the Old City of East Jerusalem, under the banner “End the Israeli Occupation Now! Uphold United Nations Resolutions and International Law!”
Palestinians in Beit Sahour marched in commemoration of 60 years since the Nakba, to the slogan, “The Right of Return is Not For Sale”
A float with a giant key was exhibited at the demonstration, representing the keys to the many Palestinian homes that were lost to families during the Nakba
Palestinian and Jewish citizens of Israel speaking during a peaceful march in the western neighborhoods of Jerusalem, commmorating 60 years since the Nakba
Children demonstrating against the Israeli military’s attempt to close schools and orphanages in Hebron, Palestine
Photos reproduced by permission.
Thanks for the diary, shergald. Great photos!
I really glad you posted this, it’s one of those episodes of history that is largely unknown, and information about it is suppressed.
I have to admit that I was largely oblivious to many aspects of world history and international affairs — especially as a student — until the internet allowed me to seek out information on my own, without the censorship that accompanies so many sources in the traditional media.
No one can disagree with the proposition that the popular media operate under censorship and dutifully propagate misinformation and lies (propaganda) about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict when news does filter through. The average American has no access to what is happening on the West Bank and Gaza on a daily basis, like the recent report about malnutrition among newly born infants, and infant deaths or stillbirths resulting from the US backed collective punishment of Palestinians living in Gaza.
The internet, as you suggest, is the only place to become aware of these human rights injustices.
I think the account, perhaps apocryphal, of rock throwing Palestinian children who were shot by Israeli soldiers ‘defending themselves against terrorists’ sums up the situation. The fact that many people find this type of account reasonable is disturbing and an indication of how gullible we are.