UN commemorates 75th anniversary of Nakba, calls for justice and recognition of Palestinian rights

On the occasion of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Nakba, numerous organizations and the United Nations (UN) came together to remember the historic event and emphasize the ongoing struggle faced by the Palestinian people. The Nakba, meaning “catastrophe” in Arabic, refers to the displacement and dispossession of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948.

Al Haq, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, and other organizations issued statements highlighting the brutal reality of the Nakba, with over 70 massacres resulting in the deaths of more than 15,000 Palestinians between 1947 and 1949. These statements also stressed the urgent need for justice and accountability for suspected war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during that period. Badil called for the right of return of Palestinian refugees to be respected, while the Institute for Palestine Studies shared powerful narratives from authors who participated in a special workshop.

In a significant development, the UN Committee for the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Nakba at UN Headquarters in New York for the first time in UN history. Ambassador Cheikh Niang, Chair of the Committee, emphasized that the resilience of the Palestinian people should not absolve the international community from its obligations and responsibilities. He underlined the importance of reminding the world about the Nakba and the ongoing suffering faced by Palestinians, particularly in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, expressed deep concern over the diminishing prospects towards a two-State solution and the urgent need to address the Palestinian plight. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, called upon the United Nations to restore the rights of the Palestinian people and proposed establishing May 15 as an international day to commemorate their plight.

During the commemorative events, UNRWA’s Commissioner-General shared a video message, and representatives from various regional groups read statements of support. Nyle Fort, as a civil society organization representative, made passionate calls for concrete actions by UN Member States to end the occupation and address what he referred to as the apartheid situation endured by Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

A Special Commemorative Event took place in the General Assembly Hall on the same day, featuring a video message by Csaba Kőrösi, President of the General Assembly, and a performance by Palestinian composer Naseem Alatrash and the New York Arabic Orchestra. The event utilized live music, photos, videos, and personal testimonies to provide an immersive experience of the Nakba and shed light on the Palestinian journey. Al Mezan, the Palestinian Return Center, Human Rights Watch, Friends of Sabeel North America and Physicians for Human Rights, among many other organisations, published articles to commemorate this anniversary as well.

As the world marks this significant anniversary, the calls for justice, recognition of Palestinian rights, and efforts to achieve a just and lasting solution continue to resonate, urging the international community to address the ongoing challenges faced by the Palestinian people.