The world stands with Palestine on Nakba commemoration


Louise Nousratpour in London
Sunday May 15, 2011
The Morning Star

Palestine solidarity campaigners in Britain joined others around the world in commemorating the anniversary of the Nakba today, calling for an end to decades of occupation, death and imprisonment.

Nakba, or catastrophe, is the term Palestinians use to describe the uprooting they suffered at the time of Israel's founding in 1948.

Thousands of Palestinians demonstrated in Ramallah today, while riots continued in Jerusalem.

Israel opened fire on protesters in Palestine and across its boarders as thousands of supporters from the neighbouring Syria, Lebanon and Egypt marched towards the crossing points.

Dozens were killed or injured, including many young people.

More than a thousand gathered outside Downing Street in London on Saturday to mark the day, calling on Britain to stop giving political and arsenal support to Israel and start recognising the rights of Palestinians to independence.

Jews for Justice for Palestinians secretary Diana Nelsen demanded that Israel withdraws from the occupied territories and stops its expansion of illegal settlements as well as the continued siege on Gaza.

"Israel must start making concessions - so far it has only made demands," she told the Star.

Ms Nelsen, who addressed Saturday's rally, also accused the regime of attempting to erase Palestinian people's history by refusing to recognise the atrocities of Nakba in school education and standard history books.

"It is as important to remember Nakba as the Holocaust," she said.

"For the Palestinians Nakba and their eviction from their homes is an integral part of their identity, just like Holocaust is for the Jewish people - these two have to be recognised.

"By not recognising Nakba, Israel is trying to erasing Palestinian history. That is not the way to advance peace and justice."

Addressing Saturday's rally, Communication Workers Union spokesman Steve Bell highlighted a recent right-wing report on the international solidarity movement, identifying London as "one of the centres" of the movement.

"They were also concerned about the 'mainstreaming' of opposition to the Israeli government and the increasing support for the Palestinian cause from the trade union movement.

"This is no small issue. There are seven million trade union members in this country - that's a big lobby against the Israeli government," he said to cheers.

Probation officers' union Napo general secretary Jonathan Ledger said that a recent union delegation to Palestine had opened members' eyes to the "horrors" Palestinians, especially children, face in Israel's criminal justice system and pledged his solidarity.

Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn said that he was very hopeful about events in Egypt and the recent peace deal struck by Hamas and Fatah as "huge step forward" in bolstering support for the Palestinian independence and refugees' right to return.

"The isolation of Israel government is growing at pace."

Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German said: "For the first time Palestinians see that these movements can give impetus to their struggle.

"We know Israel is repeatedly supported by the US, Britain and the EU, which means we have to show our solidarity with Palestinians."

Palestine Solidarity Campaign chairman Hugh Lanning, who delivered a letter to the Prime Minister outlining the movement's demands, said: "The Arab Spring brings us hope but also means real challenge to ensure UK government changes its policy.

"We must keep the pressure up until there is a free and independent Palestine."