Malta Marks Nakba: A Continuing Story

In the heart of Valletta, Malta’s capital, a small plaque on a nondescript building in Old Bakery Street bears witness to a history that extends far beyond the island’s shores. It commemorates the Palestinian Nakba, not as a single event, but as an ongoing narrative. This is where our story begins.

The Nakba, an Arabic term meaning ‘catastrophe’, is often associated with the 1948 Palestinian exodus following the creation of the State of Israel. However, for Palestinians worldwide, it’s not merely a historical event but a continuing reality. It’s the dispossession, the displacement, the denial of return, and the struggle for recognition and rights that persists to this day.

Malta, with its strategic location and history of refuge, has been a silent witness to this ongoing story. It’s home to one of Europe’s oldest Palestinian communities, with roots tracing back to the late 19th century. Today, Maltese Palestinians, along with their fellow Palestinians around the world, continue to mark the Nakba, not just on the anniversary of its start, but as an ongoing commemoration.

Malta’s Palestinian community, estimated to be around 1,500 strong, has weathered political storms and historical shifts. They’ve seen their homeland change, their people scattered, and their narrative often overshadowed. Yet, they’ve persisted, maintaining their identity and culture, often in quiet, unassuming ways.

In the bustling streets of Ħamrun, you’ll find the Palestinian Cultural Centre, a hub of activity. Here, you might hear the rhythmic beats of Dabke, a traditional Palestinian dance, echoing through the halls. You might taste the rich, aromatic flavors of Palestinian cuisine, a testament to the community’s resilience and their commitment to preserving their heritage.

Every year, on the anniversary of the Nakba, Malta’s Palestinian community, along with their Maltese and international supporters, gather to remember. They march, they speak, they share stories. They remind the world that the Nakba did not start or end in 1948. It’s a story that continues, a struggle that persists.

This year’s commemoration, like many others, will likely start at the plaque on Old Bakery Street. It will wind its way through Valletta’s historic streets, a visible reminder of an invisible, ongoing struggle. It will end with speeches, with calls for recognition, for justice, for peace.

But the Nakba is not just about remembrance. It’s about action. It’s about the daily struggle for rights, for recognition, for a future. It’s about the young Palestinian student in Malta, fighting for her right to education. It’s about the Palestinian refugee in Lebanon, fighting for his right to work. It’s about the Palestinian farmer in the West Bank, fighting for his right to his land.

And so, the story of the Nakba continues. Not just in Palestine, not just in the Middle East, but here, in Malta. In the streets of Valletta, in the halls of Ħamrun, in the hearts of a community that refuses to forget, that refuses to give up hope.

As we mark the Nakba this year, let’s remember. Let’s act. Let’s ensure that this story, this struggle, does not remain a silent echo in Malta’s shadows, but a call to action, a call for justice, a call for peace.