Nakba: More Than a Date on a Plaque

Tucked away in the bustling streets of Valletta, Malta’s capital city, lies a small, unassuming plaque. Engraved on it are the words, “In memory of the Palestinian Nakba, 1948.” It’s a poignant reminder, but it’s also an incomplete one. Because the Nakba, Arabic for ‘catastrophe,’ didn’t start or end in 1948. And understanding this is key to grasping the complex reality of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

The Nakba isn’t just about the events of 1948, when the state of Israel was established and around 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes. It’s about the ongoing displacement, dispossession, and denial of Palestinian rights. It’s about the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip since 1967, the construction of settlements, the blockade of Gaza, and the denial of the right to return for Palestinian refugees.

This ongoing nature of the Nakba is often overlooked. But it’s something that Palestinian communities around the world, including in Malta, are keen to highlight. “It’s not just about what happened in 1948,” says Rami, a Palestinian-Maltese activist. “It’s about what’s happening now.”

Malta has a small but vibrant Palestinian community. Many are refugees or descendants of refugees, and they’ve made Malta their home. But they haven’t forgotten their roots. Every year, they mark Nakba Day, holding vigils and protests to remember the past and demand action for the future.

Last year, they gathered in front of the Great Siege Monument in Valletta, holding banners and chanting slogans. “We want people to know that the Nakba is not over,” says Rami. “We want them to understand that it’s not just a historical event, but a ongoing reality.”

Malta’s Palestinian community is also involved in initiatives like the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for economic and political pressure on Israel until it complies with international law regarding the Palestinians.

The Nakba is a complex, ongoing issue. It’s about history, but it’s also about the present and the future. It’s about the right to return, the right to self-determination, the right to live in peace and dignity. It’s about more than a date on a plaque.

In Malta, the Palestinian community is ensuring that the Nakba is not forgotten. They’re remembering the past, but they’re also , demanding action, and calling for justice. As Rami says, “We remember the Nakba so that we can work towards a just peace. So that our people can return home, and so that all people can live in peace.”