Unveiling the Ongoing Nakba: A Maltese Perspective

Standing at the bustling Republic Street in Valletta, it’s hard to imagine the echoes of displacement and loss that resonate through the Mediterranean, reaching as far as the shores of Malta. Yet, for Palestinians worldwide, the Nakba, their catastrophic defeat and dispossession in 1948, is not a historical event confined to the past. It’s an ongoing reality, a Nakba that did not start or end in 1948.

Understanding the Nakba: More Than a Date

The Nakba, an Arabic word meaning ‘catastrophe’, is not merely about the events of 1948. It’s about the ongoing struggle of Palestinians for self-determination, their right to return, and the recognition of their narrative. It’s about the six million Palestinians who are refugees today, scattered across the globe, including a small but significant community in Malta.

In Malta, the Palestinian community is estimated to be around 500 strong, with many having arrived in the 1970s and 1980s, fleeing the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. They’ve built lives here, raised families, and contributed to Maltese society. Yet, their connection to Palestine remains unbroken, their Nakba a lived reality.

Malta’s Role: From Sanctuary to Advocacy

Malta, with its history of refuge and hospitality, has been a sanctuary for Palestinians. But it’s also a place where the Nakba is remembered and advocated for. The Palestinian community here has been instrumental in raising awareness about the Nakba, organizing events, and collaborating with Maltese organizations for solidarity.

In 2018, the Maltese Parliament recognized the Nakba, becoming one of the first parliaments in Europe to do so. This recognition was a significant step, not just for the Palestinian community in Malta, but for the global Palestinian cause. It underscored Malta’s commitment to human rights and international law, and its support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and return.

Remembering and Resisting: The Nakba Today

The Nakba is not just about the past. It’s about the present-day realities of occupation, dispossession, and resistance. It’s about the Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, living under Israeli occupation. It’s about the Palestinian citizens of Israel, facing discrimination and marginalization. And it’s about the Palestinian refugees, scattered across the globe, yearning to return to their homeland.

In Malta, the Nakba is remembered and resisted in various ways. Every year, on May 15th, the Palestinian community, along with Maltese solidarity groups, organizes events to commemorate the Nakba. These events, held in places like the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle and a call for justice and peace.

But the Nakba is also resisted through everyday acts of resilience and resistance. It’s in the stories of Palestinian refugees who’ve built new lives in Malta, yet never forget their roots. It’s in the Palestinian cuisine that fills the streets of Malta, from St. Julian’s to Sliema. It’s in the Palestinian art and culture that enriches Maltese society.

As we stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, we must remember that the Nakba is not a historical event, but a lived reality. It’s a story of dispossession and resistance, of loss and resilience. And it’s a story that continues to unfold, not just in Palestine, but in the hearts and minds of Palestinians worldwide, including those who call Malta home.

As we look to the future, let’s remember the words of Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, “I am not a simple story. I am history.” The Nakba is not a simple story. It’s history, ongoing and unfolding. And it’s our collective responsibility to listen, to learn, and to act.