Redfining the Nakba
above: Assala Nasry sings Mahmoud Darwish
Today, Palestinians and other people of conscious mark the Nakba (catastrophe) of 1948. Let it be clear however, that the Nakba started well before 1948- it reaches further back in history, when Balfour made his declaration in 1917, and even perhaps, one could argue, before that. As to when the Nakba ended- I would say that the Nakba is still ongoing. Everyday is a day of Nakba for the Palestinians, simply because their lives are continually impacted by it in direct and indirect ways. That said, the magnitude of the Nakba itself cannot fit within the parameters of one single day of commemoration. May 15th simply represents the date on record in which the British mandate expired, and the day Israel claimed its series atrocities as "Independence."
Today, they say that Israel's existence is fact. I do not dispute this. I simply add that my existence, as a Palestinian, is a fact as well. And it just so happens that my very existence- the simple act of exhaling and inhaling- is a problem for Israel. Well, i am not going anywhere. And neither are the rest of my Palestinian brethren. We will keeping breathing, keep living, and keep surviving, generation after generation no matter where we are. On that note, I declare this day not a day mourning- but a day of rejoicing. We rejoice because it is the act of celebration that keeps us alive. We rejoice because we are here, and we have not forgotten. We rejoice because we are proud of our rich heritage, which refuses to die. We rejoice because against all odds, there is hope....and because we love to dabkeh:
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7 comments:
I like your hopeful tone, it keeps the possibilities alive.
it just so happens that my very existence- the simple act of exhaling and inhaling- is a problem for Israel.
Why should it be so? I have no problem with Canadians exhaling or inhaling - why should Israel have a problem with your life, if you don't threaten theirs?
"As to when the Nakba ended- I would say that the Nakba is still ongoing. Everyday is a day of Nakba for the Palestinians, simply because their lives are continually impacted by it in direct and indirect ways."
This couldn't be more true. Beautiful post.
If you like ideas for hope, how about Palestinian politicians giving a date for organising voter registration of Palestinian diaspora/refugees, linking to their ancestral towns/villages. About 2 million+ voters.
www.phl-ocv.net
Yes. We are still here.
israel is in danger. 60 years and we are still more strong in our pursuit of our National rights. israel is scared. They have pressured so many head of states to attend their so called independence? Independence from whom? The Palestinians never fought the Jews. The Europeans who kicked the Jews out. In return the ZIONIST Jews , through criminal ways, ethnic cleansed the Palestinians.
Yes israel is running scared. Why do you think they are building walls? Why they are to this day SEEKING recognition of the occupied?
Remember the Palestinians are the Key holders of PEACE. We will say it out loud: WE'LL NEVER FORGET.
Let us intensify the efforts for the LOVE of Palestine. Do your part and perform your responsibility toward the Palestinian human rights. Silence is complicity, no actions means approval.
Mark you calendar for May 23-25 where we assert the Palestinian National rights. We will say it loud that we will never forget. Palestinians are the Key holders of peace. Join the thousands and strengthen the network of the thousands of activists. Express your opinion and let the many panelists know of where Palestine should go. Support our efforts to empower our community and assert the Palestinians right of return. Join the many Palestinian Americans and their supporters in Chicago commemorating the 60th year of the forced exile of the Palestinian people. Be pro active, ask questions to the Panelists and discuss the current event. We must empower ourselves and make a strong network for Justice, Peace and Freedom. Be pro active. Enough talks, Register NOW
Happy Nakba Day! And 2000 years of happy returns.....
Thank you for this nice post. I like your sentence "I simply add that my existence, as a Palestinian, is a fact as well". Truly, some are even denying that we even exist !!
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