UN’s First “Nakba” Commemoration Ruffles Israel’s Feathers
Israel Faces Criticism for Mobilizing Diplomatic Efforts Against UN Nakba Event
Israel has come under fire for mobilizing its embassy and missions around the world against an event commemorating the Nakba at the United Nations (UN). The Nakba, meaning “Great Disaster,” refers to the forced expulsion of nearly 1 million Palestinians from their lands and the destruction of 675 Palestinian villages and towns in 1948. The event, which took place at the UN building in New York, was called for by the Palestinian mission, and saw representatives from many member states participate, despite Israel’s diplomatic efforts to deter attendance.
In a statement, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that the Nakba event “distorted history” and instructed Israel’s ambassadors to the UN and other countries to take diplomatic initiatives to discourage participation. However, the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, welcomed last year’s decision by the UN General Assembly to commemorate the Nakba, stating the decision acknowledged the historical injustice done to the Palestinian people. Abbas also emphasized that the Nakba continues today with Israel’s deportation policy of Palestinians and attempts to Judaize Palestinian lands through illegal settlements.
Currently, 80% of Palestinians are living in various parts of the world as refugees due to the Nakba. Israel’s deportation policy and attempts to Judaize Palestinian lands continue to fuel tensions in occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
