"The tragedy in Palestine is not just a local one; it is a tragedy for the world, because it is an injustice that is a menace to the world's peace.' -Arnold Toynbee, British Historian
A sad day in the history of Palestine and its people, today marks the 69th anniversary of the "Nakba." Also know as "day of catastrophe," this day in history witnessed many tragic events in Palestine, including the mass removal of Palestinians from their homes and the destruction of over 500 villages and towns. More than 7 million Palestinian refugees have been displaced and many Palestinians still carry keys to homes to which they can never returrn.
The Nakba continues on today. Thousands of Palestinians still gather to protest and one of the core demands for Palestinians in peace negotiations is to receive some kind of justice and to obtain the right to return to their ancestral homes.
Facts about Nakba:
- The Nakba is the root cause of the Palestinian/Israeli Conflict. By the end of 1948, 2/3 of the Palestinian population was exiled.
- Palestinian property and belongings were taken.
- The Palestinians who remained became citizens of Israel. Although, they are only 20% of the population, they do not have the power to become leaders.
- The Nakba affects Americans taxpayers. Over 3 billion dollars have been given to Israel for their defense budget.
Unfortunately, circumstances for Palestinians continue to worsen as more land is being taken to feed expanding settlements. The number of prisoners is also increasing and more attacks happen daily. With all that is going on, it is important for Palestinian people to remain strong and united with the hope that someday we will live together in peace.