The Nakba: Malta’s Connection to Palestine’s Ongoing Story

In the heart of Valletta, at the humble yet historic Strait Street, a small plaque commemorates a lesser-known chapter of Malta’s past. It reads, “Here, on 15 May 1946, the Arab League’s Palestine Committee held a meeting to discuss the plight of Palestinians.” This meeting, a precursor to the Nakba, or ‘catastrophe,’ in 1948, underscores a reality often overlooked: the Nakba did not begin or end in 1948.

The Nakba, the Palestinian exodus and dispossession following the 1948 Palestine war, is often perceived as a singular event. However, it is a process that began long before and continues today. The 1946 meeting in Valletta was one of many international efforts to address the growing tension in Palestine, then under British mandate. It marked a pivotal moment when the Arab world united to challenge the emerging Zionist project.

The Nakba’s roots can be traced back to the late 19th century with the rise of Zionism and the increasing Jewish immigration to Palestine. The Balfour Declaration of 1917, which supported the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, further fueled the conflict. By the 1940s, tensions between the Arab Palestinian majority and the Jewish minority had escalated, culminating in the 1948 war and the Nakba.

Malta, with its strategic location and historical ties to the region, played a role in the Nakba’s narrative. During World War II, Malta served as a crucial Allied base, and its Jewish community, one of the oldest in Europe, faced persecution under the Axis powers. Post-war, Malta hosted Palestinian refugees, offering them sanctuary and support.

The Nakba’s aftermath saw the displacement of around 700,000 Palestinians, creating the world’s longest-running refugee crisis. Today, Palestinians live scattered across the globe, including in Malta. According to the Maltese Palestinian Community Association, there are around 2,000 Palestinians living in Malta, many of whom are refugees or descendants of refugees.

In 2018, a group of Maltese and Palestinian activists erected a tent in Valletta’s Freedom Square, symbolizing the ongoing Nakba and the plight of Palestinian refugees. The tent, a replica of those in the UN-run refugee camps, stood for 68 days, drawing attention to the enduring crisis.

Every year on May 15, Palestinians worldwide commemorate the Nakba. In Malta, this day is marked with vigils, discussions, and exhibitions. The Nakba is not just a historical event but a living reality for Palestinians. It is a story of loss, resilience, and the ongoing struggle for justice and self-determination.

As we remember the Nakba, it is crucial to understand its ongoing nature. It is not merely a historical event but a process that continues today, manifesting in the occupation of Palestinian territories, the expansion of Israeli settlements, and the denial of Palestinian refugees’ right to return.

In the words of Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, “I am from there. I am from here. I am not an alien. I am not an immigrant, not a foreigner. I am no stranger.” The Nakba is not a distant past but a present reality for Palestinians, a reality that demands our collective attention and action.