Dear Friends,
During the month of May, Israel celebrates its 60th anniversary. Simultaneously, Palestinians around the world mourn 60 years since the Nakba - Arabic for the "catastrophe" - of 1948, when Zionist militias destroyed over 400 Palestinian villages and caused over 725,000 Palestinians to become refugees in order to create the Israeli state.
While it is disheartening to commemorate another year of the continuing Nakba, with the Israeli blockade of Gaza, the ongoing Occupation and settlement construction in Jerusalem and the West Bank, and no redress for Palestinian refugees, this year has also brought on incredible momentum around celebrating 60 plus years of Palestinian resistance against injustice.
Not only has the Palestinian narrative of Nakba and resistance secured a space within mainstream media, the attention and momentum around this anniversary has made it impossible for the continuing Nakba to be rendered invisible.
On this anniversary, join Palestinians and Israelis, along with peace and justice activists around the world, in saying, No Time to Celebrate!
As long as Israel continues to violate international law, inflict collective punishment on the people of Gaza, and deny civil and human rights for Palestinians in exile, in the Occupied Territories and in Israel, then it is no time to celebrate.
Please read on for action alerts and updates from Israel/Palestine!
Take Action!
Call Your Representatives to Demand...
An end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza and immediate humanitarian relief.
An end to settlement expansion in Jerusalem and the West Bank, illegal under international law.
For your representatives' information, click here.
Attend a Nakba Commemoration Event Near You!
For a list of events in the US, click here.
For a list of events taking place in Israel/Palestine and around the world, click here.
Raise Awareness about the Ongoing Nakba, and Palestinian Refugees!
Download BADIL's Nakba Toolkit, click here.
To receive a Nakba toolkit by mail, email palestine@globalexchange.org.
News Updates!
Electronic Intifada - Remembering 1948 and Looking to the Future
Official Israel remains in complete denial that the birth it celebrates is inextricably linked with the near destruction of the vibrant Palestinian culture and society that had existed until then. Read more.
BBC debate - Has Zionism Worked?
"Has Zionism worked?" was the question we put to the former Knesset member and Ambassador, Zalman Shoval, magazine editor Bambi Sheleg and novelist Alon Hilu. Read more.
Learn More!
The hard work of Palestinian organizations, in preparing for 60th anniversary events, is a big factor in explaining the surge in momentum, motivating US and international activists to raise awareness around the ongoing Nakba. Learn more about the organizations of the Nakba-60 campaign, and the organizations working on refugee issues that Global Exchange meets with on our delegations.
BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights
BADIL takes a rights-based approach to the Palestinian refugee issue through research, advocacy and support of community participation in the search for durable solutions.
IBDAA Cultural Center
Ibdaa is a grassroots organization that provides educational, social, and cultural programs for the children, youth and women of Dheisheh refugee camp. Ibdaa strives to empower the children, youth and women of Dheisheh, instilling in them confidence and strength while also educating the international community about Palestinian refugees.
ZOCHROT
Zochrot ["Remembering"] is a group of Israeli citizens working to raise awareness of the Nakba, the Palestinian catastrophe of 1948. Zochrot works to make the history of the Nakba accessible to the Israeli public so as to engage Jews and Palestinians in an open recounting of our painful common history.
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