The Catastrophe
Catastrophe is a strong word. In the United States, that word conjures up horrible images of unimaginable proportions.
Israel’s “independence day” is today, May 15. I didn’t know it at the time I booked my trip, but I am here in Palestine on the 64th anniversary of the founding of Israel.
In Palestine, that day is called Al Nakba, which translates into “the catastrophe.” An incredibly important thing to know and understand is that the catastrophe isn’t necessarily the creation of Israel. The catastrophe is the 700,000 refugees that Israel’s actions in 1948 created. That number, calculated by the United Nations, is now more than 4 million when you count the actual refugees and their descendants.
Those refugees and now their descendants were never allowed to return to their homes and lands. They are banned from even traveling into Israel without permission, which isn’t granted easily. Many live in several refugee camps in the West Bank and surrounding countries.
Wouldn’t you call that a catastrophe?
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| The 1948 Palestinian exodus. |
