Protests across Australia over May 15–17 marked 78 years since Israeli forces ethnically cleansed Palestinian villages in 1948. Al Nakba means catastrophe.
After the United Nations resolved to partition Palestine into two states in November 1947, Israel declared a Jewish state and launched a major offensive. Israeli forces and militias ethnically cleansed at least 700,000 Palestinians from their land. At least 15,000 people were killed and a campaign of sexual violence against Palestinian women was unleashed.
Among the countless atrocities from that time is the notorious Deir Yassin massacre in which more than 100 men, women and children were killed by Zionist paramilitary groups.
Marking the Nakba anniversary on this day, as Israel continues its genocide in Gaza and encourages settler attacks on Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank, was particularly poignant.
The memory of 1948, added to the present day war, is deeply traumatic for Palestinians in the diaspora, who continue to struggle for justice and for their right to return to their homes.
About 500 people joined the protest in Gadigal Country/Sydney on April 15. Speakers included Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Dunghutti woman Elizabeth Jarrett, from the Blak Caucus; Nakba survivor Fouad Shriedy; Jamil Sawalmeh, from ActionAid Palestine; and Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi.
It was chaired by Dalia Qasem and Yasmine Johnson from Palestine Action Group.
The rally was supported by Jews Against the Occupation ’48, the Coalition of Women for Peace and Justice, Socialist Alliance and Students for Palestine.
Thousands rallied in Naarm/Melbourne on May 17 to mark the mass expulsion, displacement and slaughter of Palestinians that led to the founding of the state of Israel in 1948.
Speakers included Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung Senator Lidia Thorpe; Palestinian organiser and activist Basil el-Ghattis, who emceed the rally; Greens Senator David Shoebridge; Palestinian surgeon Dr Bushra Othman; Palestinian organiser Nour Salman; Noura Mansour, Palestinian organiser and national director of Democracy in Colour; and Yasmin from Students for Palestine.
After speeches, the spirited protest marched through the CBD. Chants including “From the river to the sea Palestine will be free” and “Israel out of Palestine” drew people's attention. Protesters expressed disgust at the Labor government's inaction on helping the Palestinian people.
About 300 people joined the Nakba Day rally in Boorloo/Perth on May 17. The rally kicked off with a Welcome to Country by Uncle Hedley Harward.
Palestinian activist Hiba Farrer hosted the rally, and speakers included Palestinian activists Dareen Mohamed, Ameen Majzoob, Mustafa Saabi and Dr Lama Al Ramahi. Violinist Madeleine Antoine performed a touching piece called “Mawtini”.
The rally was organised by Friends of Palestine WA and supported by Jews for Palestine WA, Unionists for Palestine WA, Socialist Alliance, Students for Palestine, Quakers for Justice and Peace, Socialist Alternative and Queers for Palestine.
About 800 people marched through the streets of Magan-djin/Brisbane on May 17 to commemorate the Nakba.
The speaker platform was mostly Palestinian-Australian, including Nada, the granddaughter of Nakba survivors, who told the rally that “the empire they are building is holding by a taut thread”. “The Nakba never ended,” she said, adding: “But it will”.
The rally also condemned the Queensland Liberal National government's law, which seeks to jail people for up to two years for saying or displaying two Palestine solidarity slogans.
Criminal defence lawyer Nick Hanna told the protest that he came from NSW to defend “brave people” who had defied the law in April. “Israel has lost the battle of ideas,” Hanna said, adding that the government crackdown on the pro-Palestine movement is a “sign of weakness not strength”. He said that the world has “woken up and we are never going back to sleep”.
Two days before the rally — on the anniversary of the Nakba itself — Jewish activist Stephen Heydt spoke the banned phrase “Globalise the Intifada” right outside the Queensland Police headquarters. As at the time of writing, he has not been arrested.
About 300 attended Nakba Day rally in Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide on April 17. The rally heard the powerful testimonies of Palestinians whose families were displaced during the 1948 Nakba.
They explained that the Nakba never ended, but is relived by subsequent generations, for example during the 1967 war, the First and Second Intifadas, the siege of Gaza and the current genocide.
A powerful musical performance by Eileen Darley uplifted the crowd. The rally was organised by Adelaide Friends of Palestine Association and supported by many local groups.
