Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Ramallah held marches and performances to mark the 78th anniversary of the Nakba [1].
The anniversary commemorates the 1948 displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians [2]. These events serve as a recurring focal point for demands regarding the right of return for displaced families.
In Gaza, residents of Zawayda observed the anniversary on Thursday, May 14, 2024 [3]. The commemorations in the Gaza Strip took place alongside similar events in the occupied West Bank [1].
In Ramallah, a central march began at 11:30 a.m. [4]. Participants in the gathering carried a slogan stating, "We Will Not Leave… Our Roots Are Deeper Than Your Destruction" [5]. The event emphasized the enduring connection between the population and the land.
While Palestinians marked the anniversary, other activities occurred in the region. Far-right Israelis staged a flag march in occupied East Jerusalem the day before the primary anniversary observations [6].
The Nakba, or "catastrophe," remains a central pillar of Palestinian national identity. The events this week highlighted the ongoing tension between the memory of the 1948 events and the current political reality in the occupied territories [1], [6].
“hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were dispossessed in 1948”
The simultaneous occurrence of Nakba commemorations and Israeli flag marches in East Jerusalem underscores the deep-seated historical and territorial disputes of the region. By framing the 78th anniversary around the 'right of return,' Palestinian organizers reinforce a legal and political claim that remains a primary obstacle to a negotiated peace agreement.
