The Nakba did not start or end in 1948

Every year, on the 15th of May, a small but significant gathering takes place in the heart of Malta’s capital, Valletta. They gather not to celebrate, but to remember. Not just the events of 1948, but the ongoing story of the Palestinian people. This is the annual commemoration of the Nakba, not as a single event, but as an ongoing narrative.

The Nakba, an Arabic word meaning ‘catastrophe’, is often associated with the 1948 Palestinian exodus, when around 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes during the 1948 Palestine war. But for many Palestinians and their supporters, the Nakba didn’t start or end in 1948. It’s a story that continues today, reflected in the lives of Palestinian refugees around the world, including those in Malta.

Malta’s Palestinian community, while small, is resilient and vocal. Many arrived in Malta as refugees, others came seeking better opportunities. They’ve brought with them their culture, their food, and their stories. Stories of loss, of resilience, and of hope. Stories that challenge the notion that the Nakba is a thing of the past.

Take, for instance, the story of Mahmoud, a Palestinian refugee who arrived in Malta in the 1970s. Now a successful businessman in Sliema, he still remembers the day he left his home. “The Nakba is not just a date,” he says, “It’s the day I lost my childhood, my home, my sense of belonging.”

The annual Nakba commemoration in Valletta is a testament to this ongoing story. It’s a time for the Palestinian community to come together, to remember, and to remind others. It’s also a time for solidarity, with Maltese and other international supporters joining in.

This year’s commemoration, like the previous ones, will likely start at the Great Siege Monument, a poignant location given Malta’s own history of resilience. From there, the procession will wind its way through the narrow streets of Valletta, a stark reminder of the Palestinian people’s ongoing struggle for recognition and justice.

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