The Nakba

The Arabic word for ‘Catastrophe’, the Nakba refers to the violent process of colonization carried out by Zionist militias in Palestine during 1948, leading to the foundation of the State of Israel. These militias destroyed over 500 Palestinian villages and forcefully displaced and expelled approximately 750,000 Palestinians. The Nakba is central to conversations about Palestinian liberation, as it is considered a foundational moment of systematic Palestinian erasure. Because of the Nakba, more than 5 million Palestinians are documented as refugees today, many of whom are waiting to return to their homeland. (see also Right of Return and Exile)

Learn more from these resources:

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Institute for Middle East Understanding - Quick Facts: The Palestinian Nakba

Jewish Voice for Peace: Facing the Nakba Curriculum

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Al Jazeera- Al-Nakba: The Palestinian Catastrophe (47 minutes)

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Visualizing Palestine- An Ongoing Displacement

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