UN Commemorates Palestinian Nakba Anniversary for the First Time

UN Commemorates Palestinian Nakba Anniversary for the First Time; President Mahmoud Abbas Calls for Palestinian Independence and UN Membership
 
As the United Nations officially commemorated the Palestinian Nakba, or “Catastrophe,” for the first time, President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a powerful speech urging member states to recognize the rights of Palestinians to live in freedom and dignity within their own independent nation. Addressing the Special Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, Abbas called for Palestine to be granted full membership in the UN and demanded the suspension of Israel’s membership if it continues to disregard UN resolutions condemning the occupation of Palestinian territories and the construction of Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, which are deemed illegal under international law.
 
During the meeting, which marked the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, Abbas highlighted the mass displacement suffered by Palestinians when the state of Israel was established in 1948. Approximately 750,000 Palestinians, out of a population of 1.9 million, were forcibly removed from their towns and villages, which were subsequently taken over by Jewish immigrants. The majority of displaced Palestinians sought refuge in neighboring countries and became refugees. This year, the UN adopted a resolution to officially commemorate the Nakba, despite opposition from 30 nations.
 
Abbas called upon Israel and its main supporters, namely the United Kingdom and the United States, to acknowledge their responsibility for the Nakba, issue an apology to the Palestinian people, and provide compensation. He reiterated that Palestinians have accepted Israel’s right to exist on the 78 percent of historically Palestinian land that constitutes the state of Israel, but they now demand the establishment of their own state in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which were captured by Israel during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.
 
While expressing his opposition to the Israeli government’s policies and actions, Abbas clarified that he does not harbor ill will towards the Jewish people or Judaism itself. He emphasized that his criticism is directed at those who occupy Palestinian land, regardless of their beliefs. Abbas held the Israeli government accountable for the Nakba and the suffering, displacement, and destruction endured by Palestinians. He called on the international community to hold Israeli authorities responsible for their actions in the occupied territories and for violating international law.
 
Abbas urged the international community to reject Israel’s false claims and emphasized that Israel should not be allowed to operate as a state above the law. He announced that Palestinians will pursue legal action at the International Criminal Court to address Israel’s violations of international law and war crimes committed against the Palestinian people. Additionally, he implored the UN to grant Palestine full membership, stressing that it qualifies for such recognition, and criticized the organization for not having done so already.
 
Chairperson Cheikh Niang of the Special Committee expressed strong support for the rights of the Palestinian people and called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. He described the Nakba as the “epicenter” of Palestinian suffering and condemned recent Israeli attacks in Gaza, which have resulted in the loss of Palestinian lives. Representatives from the African Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and various civil society groups expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and their right to an independent state. They acknowledged that the Nakba continues as Palestinians endure Israeli occupation and face conditions similar to those they faced 75 years ago.
 
The UN meeting marked a significant step towards recognizing and addressing the historical injustices and ongoing struggles faced by Palestinians. President Abbas’s passionate plea for Palestinian independence, UN membership, and accountability for Israeli actions resonated with attendees and underscored the urgent need for a just and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.