Blockk Blockk Blockk Blockk
  • News Portal
  • World Desk
    • Sign In
    • Submit Content
    • Register
  • All Content
    • Edited
      • Topics
        • Agriculture
        • Culture
          • Arts
          • Children
          • Education
          • Entertainment
          • Food and Hunger
          • Sports
        • Disasters
        • Economy
        • Energy
        • Environment
        • Government
        • Health
        • Media
        • Science
        • Spiritual
        • Technology
        • Transportation
        • War
      • Regions
        • Africa
        • Americas
          • North America
          • South America
        • Antarctica
        • Arctic
        • Asia
        • Australia/Oceania
        • Europe
        • Middle East
        • Oceans
          • Arctic Ocean
          • Atlantic Ocean
          • Indian Ocean
          • Pacific Ocean
          • Southern Ocean
        • Space
      • News
      • Commentary
      • Analysis
      • Advisories
      • Source
    • Flatwire
  • About Us
  • Site Map
  • Contact Us

Latest Stories

... loading images
GOOD MORNING! 231002
GOOD MORNING! 231002
Hermit 'Scribblings' Of Eccentric French Math Genius ...
Hermit 'Scribblings' Of Eccentric French Math Genius Unveiled | Juliette Collen
More Banks to Fail? Not in North Dakota | Ellen Brown
More Banks to Fail? Not in North Dakota | Ellen Brown
BOOKS: ‘Capitalism Is Dead. Now We Have Something Much ...
BOOKS: ‘Capitalism Is Dead. Now We Have Something Much Worse’ | Carole Cadwalladr
Ghosts of the Past: For Israel, War on UNESCO is an ...
Ghosts of the Past: For Israel, War on UNESCO is an Existential Battle | Ramzy Baroud
Artificial intelligence (AI) | Wikipedia
Artificial intelligence (AI) | Wikipedia
Blockchain | Wikipedia
Blockchain | Wikipedia
NASA's First Asteroid Samples Land On Earth After Release ...
NASA's First Asteroid Samples Land On Earth After Release From Spacecraft | Marcia Dunn
Our Digital Twins Will Help Diagnose And Treat Diseases ...
Our Digital Twins Will Help Diagnose And Treat Diseases | Thomas Gull, University of Zurich
US Farmers, Tech Tycoons Square Off Over Plans For Utopian ...
US Farmers, Tech Tycoons Square Off Over Plans For Utopian City | Glenn Chapman
Falling Solar Power And Storage Prices Make Global Climate ...
Falling Solar Power And Storage Prices Make Global Climate Transition Cheaper Than Expected | Ulrich von Lampe
Why the Next Crypto Bull Run Will Be Like Nothing We've ...
Why the Next Crypto Bull Run Will Be Like Nothing We've Ever Experienced | Solo Ceesay
Human-Driven Mass Extinction Is Eliminating Entire Branches ...
Human-Driven Mass Extinction Is Eliminating Entire Branches Of The Tree Of Life | Stanford University
The Untold Story of the Abuse of Palestinian Women in ...
The Untold Story of the Abuse of Palestinian Women in Hebron | Ramzy Baroud
‘Bread and Circuses’: Musk, Zuckerberg and the Art of ...
‘Bread and Circuses’: Musk, Zuckerberg and the Art of Distraction | Ramzy Baroud
What Are Smart Contracts? | Bing
What Are Smart Contracts? | Bing

Why Israel Fears the Nakba | Ramzy Baroud

More items by author
Categories
Edited | Front Page Stories | All Content | Government | Law | Crime | Politics | War | North America | Middle East | Commentary | Analysis | Commentary -- WNT Reports
Tool Bar
View Comments

Dr. Ramzy BaroudDr. Ramzy BaroudHow Memory Became Palestine’s Greatest Weapon

Ramzy Baroud -- World News Trust

May 17, 2020

On May 15, thousands of Palestinians in Occupied Palestine and throughout the "shatat," or diaspora, participated in the commemoration of Nakba Day, the one event that unites all Palestinians, regardless of their political differences or backgrounds.

For years, social media has added a whole new stratum to this process of commemoration. #Nakba72, along with #NakbaDay and #Nakba, have all trended on Twitter for days. Facebook was inundated with countless stories, videos, images, and statements, written by Palestinians, or in global support of the Palestinian people.

The dominant Nakba narrative remains -- 72 years following the destruction of historic Palestine at the hands of Zionist militias -- an opportunity to reassert the centrality of the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees. More than 750,000 Palestinians were ethnically cleansed from their homes in Palestine in 1947-48. The surviving refugees and their descendants are now estimated at over five million.

As thousands of Palestinians rallied on the streets and as the Nakba hashtag was generating massive interest on social media, U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, paid an eight-hour visit to Israel to discuss the seemingly imminent Israeli government annexation, or theft, of nearly 30 percent of the occupied Palestinian West Bank.

"The Israeli government will decide on the matter, on exactly when and how to do it,” Pompeo said in an interview with Israeli radio, Kan Bet, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Clearly, the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu has U.S. blessing to further its colonization of occupied Palestine, to entrench its existing Apartheid regime, and to act as if the Palestinians simply do not exist.

The Nakba commemoration and Pompeo’s visit to Israel are a stark representation of Palestine’s political reality today.

Considering the massive U.S. political sway, why do Palestinians then insist on making demands which, according to the pervading realpolitik of the so-called Palestinian-Israeli conflict, seem unattainable?

Since the start of the peace process in Oslo in the early 1990s, the Palestinian leadership has engaged with Israel and its western benefactors in a useless political exercise that has, ultimately, worsened an already terrible situation. After more than 25 years of haggling over bits and pieces of what remained of historic Palestine, Israel and the United States are now plotting the endgame, while demonizing the very Palestinian leaders that participated in their joint and futile political charade.

Strangely, the rise and demise of the so-called "peace process" did not seem to affect the collective narrative of the Palestinian people, who still see the Nakba, not the Israeli occupation of 1967, and certainly not the Oslo accords, as the core point in their struggle against Israeli colonialism.

This is because the collective Palestinian memory remains completely independent from Oslo and its many misgivings. For Palestinians, memory is an active process. It is not a docile, passive mechanism of grief and self-pity that can easily be manipulated, but a generator of new meanings.

In their seminal book “Nakba: Palestine, 1948, and the Claims of Memory,” Ahmad Sa’di and Lila Abu-Lughod wrote that “Palestinian memory is, at its heart, political.”

This means that the powerful and emotive commemoration of the 72nd anniversary of the Nakba is essentially a collective political act, and, even if partly unconscious, a people’s retort and rejection of Donald Trump’s "Deal of the Century," of Pompeo’s politicking, and of Netanyahu’s annexation drive.

Despite the numerous unilateral measures taken by Israel to determine the fate of the Palestinian people, the blind and unconditional US support of Israel, and the unmitigated failure of the Palestinian Authority to mount any meaningful resistance, Palestinians continue to remember their history and understand their reality based on their own priorities.

For many years, Palestinians have been accused of being unrealistic, of “never missing an opportunity to miss an opportunity,” and even of extremism, for simply insisting on their historical rights in Palestine, as enshrined in international law.

These critical voices are either supporters of Israel or simply unable to understand how Palestinian memory factors in shaping the politics of ordinary people, independent of the quisling Palestinian leadership or the seemingly impossible-to-overturn status quo. True, both trajectories, that of the stifling political reality and people’s priorities seem to be in constant divergence, with little or no overlapping.

However, a closer look is revealing: the more belligerent Israel becomes, the more stubbornly Palestinians hold on to their past. There is a reason for this.

Occupied, oppressed and refugee camps-confined Palestinians have little control over many of the realities that directly impact their lives. There is little that a refugee from Gaza can do to dissuade Pompeo from assigning the West Bank to Israel, or a Palestinian refugee from Ein El-Helweh in Lebanon to compel the international community to enforce the long-delayed Right of Return.

But there is a single element that Palestinians, regardless of where they are, can indeed control: their collective memory, which remains the main motivator of their legendary steadfastness.

Hannah Arendt wrote in 1951 that totalitarianism is a system that, among other things, forbids grief and remembrance, in an attempt to sever the individual’s or group’s relation to the continuous past.

For decades, Israel has done just that, in a desperate attempt to stifle the memory of the Palestinians, so that they are only left with a single option, the self-defeating peace process.

In March 2011, the Israeli parliament introduced the "Nakba Law," which authorized the Israeli Finance Ministry to carry out financial measures against any institution that commemorates Nakba Day.

Israel is afraid of Palestinian memory, since it is the only facet of its war against the Palestinian people that it cannot fully control; the more Israel labors to erase the collective memory of the Palestinian people, the more Palestinians hold tighter to the keys of their homes and to the title deed of their land back in their lost homeland.

There can never be a just peace in Palestine until the priorities of the Palestinian people -- their memories, and their aspirations -- become the foundation of any political process between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Everything that operates outside this paradigm is null and void, for it will never herald peace or instill true justice. This is why Palestinians remember; for, over the years, their memory has proven to be their greatest weapon.

– Ramzy Baroud is a journalist and the Editor of The Palestine Chronicle. He is the author of five books. His latest is “These Chains Will Be Broken: Palestinian Stories of Struggle and Defiance in Israeli Prisons” (Clarity Press, Atlanta). Dr. Baroud is a Non-resident Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Islam and Global Affairs (CIGA), Istanbul Zaim University (IZU). His website is www.ramzybaroud.net

back to top
  • Created
    Sunday, May 17, 2020
  • Last modified
    Monday, May 25, 2020

World Desk Activities

  • Report
Francis M Goodwin
Francis M Goodwin ▶ Editorial -- Blockchain & Crypto 01/10/2023
  • Report
 

www-forbes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.forbes.c…

‘Flashing Red Warning’—$33 Trillion U.S. ‘Debt Death Spiral’ Could Suddenly Trigger A Bitcoin Price ‘Vicious Circle’
‘Flashing Red Warning’—$33 Trillion U.S. ‘Debt Death Spiral’ Could Suddenly Trigger A Bitcoin Price ‘Vicious Circle’ www-forbes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2023/10/01/flashing-red-warning-33-trillion-us-debt-death-spiral-could-suddenly-trigger-a-bitcoin-price-vicious-circle/amp/?amp_js_v=0.1#webview=1&cap=swipe
  • Report
Francis M Goodwin
Francis M Goodwin ▶ Editorial -- Blockchain & Crypto 01/10/2023
  • Report
 

www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/09/29/whe…

Where Liquid Staking Meets Tokenization
Where Liquid Staking Meets Tokenization The crypto industry is changing rapidly, and liquid staking stands at the forefront of this transformation. www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/09/29/where-liquid-staking-meets-tokenization/
Francis M Goodwin
Francis M Goodwin added a video. 29/09/2023
  • Report
 

Sonny Saul Trio:  Intergalactic Suite, recorded live 9/1/2023

Sonny Saul Trio: Intergalactic Suite, recorded...

  • Report
Francis M Goodwin
Francis M Goodwin ▶ World News Trust Project 29/09/2023
  • Report
 

www.niemanlab.org/2023/07/openai-will-give-local-n…

OpenAI will give local news millions to experiment with AI | Nieman Journalism Lab
OpenAI will give local news millions to experiment with AI | Nieman Journalism Lab Some of the funding will go to form a "studio" within the American Journalism Project; the rest will go to about 10 of AJP's grantees. www.niemanlab.org/2023/07/openai-will-give-local-news-millions-to-experiment-with-ai/
Francis M Goodwin
Francis M Goodwin 29/09/2023
  • Report
 

phys.org/news/2023-09-mouthwash-dogs-additive-pome…

thumbnail

Mouthwash for dogs: Water additive with pomegranate helps to keep canine teeth healthy

  • Report
Francis M Goodwin
Francis M Goodwin ▶ World News Trust Project 29/09/2023
  • Report
 

www.niemanlab.org/hubs/business-models/

Business Models  |  Hubs  |  Nieman Journalism Lab
Business Models | Hubs | Nieman Journalism Lab www.niemanlab.org/hubs/business-models/
  • Report
Francis M Goodwin
Francis M Goodwin ▶ Editorial -- Artificial Intelligence 29/09/2023
  • Report
 

www.economist.com/briefing/2023/09/27/how-microsof…

How Microsoft could supplant Apple as the world’s most valuable firm
How Microsoft could supplant Apple as the world’s most valuable firm It hopes to seize on AI to transform the future of work | Briefing www.economist.com/briefing/2023/09/27/how-microsoft-could-supplant-apple-as-the-worlds-most-valuable-firm?utm_medium=social-media.content.np&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=editorial-social&utm_content=discovery.content
  • Report
Francis M Goodwin
Francis M Goodwin ▶ World News Trust Project 28/09/2023
  • Report
 

www.theguardian.com/media/2023/aug/30/manchester-m…

Manchester Mill newsletter eyes expansion after £1.75m valuation | Regional & local newspapers | The Guardian
Manchester Mill newsletter eyes expansion after £1.75m valuation | Regional & local newspapers | The Guardian Startup considers cities including Leeds and Glasgow for new versions of its paywalled local media model www.theguardian.com/media/2023/aug/30/manchester-mill-prepares-for-uk-expansion-after-valuation?_hsmi=76769268&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--2SxuaW2Axl1BHKIamPkywITYo6r-0bBCoIY6QB5Xo9Tr5dgheWB1i28OXqqLr0UPOzzIYSWuuDlJRz-dH9WKkare06C1LWxgyEPOC3i4SuHaXJ2E
  • Report
Francis M Goodwin
Francis M Goodwin ▶ Editorial -- Artificial Intelligence 28/09/2023
  • Report
 

ig.ft.com/generative-ai/

Generative AI exists because of the transformer
Generative AI exists because of the transformer The technology has resulted in a host of cutting-edge AI applications — but its real power lies beyond text generation ig.ft.com/generative-ai/?_hsmi=76769268&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9Zi28xyo4HiOUL4KvcQE06T49ZXbcpwQMtw3cj2vIstY0HceciZRpRqTEhgFlnxu5S8wfzzVtalftCA8dkK-T2_6ZCS79vxCjFmNGDZnxQXNCt_AM
Francis M Goodwin
Francis M Goodwin 28/09/2023
  • Report
 

www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/24/yanis-varouf…

thumbnail

‘Capitalism is dead. Now we have something much worse’: Yanis Varoufakis on extremism, Starmer, and the tyranny of big tech | Yanis Varoufakis | The Guardian

In his new book, the maverick Greek economist says we are witnessing an epochal shift. At his island home, he argues it’s now the ‘fiefdoms’…

Community Videos

  • Sonny Saul Trio:  Intergalactic Suite, recorded live 9/1/2023 01:25:30
  • David Bowie - Under Pressure (Live) 1996 • TopPop 04:07
  • Chumbawamba - Tubthumping 03:34
  • ZZ Top - La Grange (Live From Gruene Hall) | Stages 04:38
  • Exmagma - Goldball   1974  (full album) 35:06
  • Digital News Report 2023 | Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism 02:20
View all videos

Popular

  • CLASS WAR: America’s Privileged Technocrats Not Ready For What’s About To Happen To Them | Jon Schwarz
  • How To Stop And Reverse Global Warming | Bing
  • Meaning Of Solidarity In The Time Of A New Palestine | Ramzy Baroud
  • The Federal Debt Trap: Issues and Possible Solutions | Ellen Brown
  • US and Israel: Is the ‘Unbreakable Bond’ Finally Breaking? | Ramzy Baroud

Blogs & Submissions

  • More Banks to Fail? Not in North Dakota | Ellen Brown
  • More Banks to Fail? Not in North Dakota | Ellen Brow
  • Israeli ‘Coup’ and the Death of False Democracy | Ramzy Baroud
  • The Other Side of the West Africa Upheaval | Ramzy Baroud
  • ‘Bread and Circuses’: Musk, Zuckerberg and the Art of Distraction | Ramzy Baroud
Climate Conflagration: Maui to Montana | Amy Goodman & ...
Climate Conflagration: Maui to Montana | Amy Goodman & Denis Moynihan
Best Way To Enter News Stories Into A Blockchain? | Bing
Best Way To Enter News Stories Into A Blockchain? | Bing
War By Other Means: Short-Selling JPMorgan | Ellen Brown
War By Other Means: Short-Selling JPMorgan | Ellen Brown
Israel’s Slippery Slope | Nouriel Roubini
Israel’s Slippery Slope | Nouriel Roubini
How To Stop And Reverse Global Warming | Bing
How To Stop And Reverse Global Warming | Bing
US and Israel: Is the ‘Unbreakable Bond’ Finally Breaking? ...
US and Israel: Is the ‘Unbreakable Bond’ Finally Breaking? | Ramzy Baroud
Meaning Of Solidarity In The Time Of A New Palestine | ...
Meaning Of Solidarity In The Time Of A New Palestine | Ramzy Baroud
CLASS WAR: America’s Privileged Technocrats Not Ready For ...
CLASS WAR: America’s Privileged Technocrats Not Ready For What’s About To Happen To Them | Jon Schwarz

Electronic Frontier Foundation

  • The Growing Threat of Cybercrime Law Abuse: LGBTQ+ Rights in MENA and the UN Cybercrime Draft Convention
    September 30, 2023
  • Watch EFF's Talks from DEF CON 31
    September 28, 2023
  • Get Real, Congress: Censoring Search Results or Recommendations Is Still Censorship
    September 28, 2023
  • The Federal Government’s Privacy Watchdog Concedes: 702 Must Change
    September 28, 2023

The Intercept

  • Amazon and Google Are Finally Facing the Music
    October 01, 2023
  • New Group Attacking iPhone Encryption Backed by U.S. Political Dark-Money Network
    October 01, 2023
  • George W. Bush Is Building a Memorial to the War on Terror. He Wants Your Feedback.
    September 30, 2023
  • The Feds Take Big Tech to Court
    September 30, 2023

VTDigger

  • Vacant Pizza Hut redevelopment hits a snag in South Burlington
    October 01, 2023
  • Milton residents raise objections as town pulls funding for local arts organization
    October 01, 2023
  • Vermont State Police say series of bomb threats appears to be a hoax
    October 01, 2023
  • Richmond’s historic East Monitor Barn undergoes major restoration
    October 01, 2023

Mountain Times -- Central Vermont

  • Your weekly horoscope, Sept. 28 – Oct. 3, 2023
    September 28, 2023
  • Great Gulf announces design team for village at Killington Resort
    September 28, 2023
  • Teenagers earn podiums at U.S. Open
    September 28, 2023
  • Mountain Times – Volume 51, Number 39 – Sept. 27 – Oct. 3, 2023
    September 28, 2023
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. All Content
  4. Edited
  5. Why Israel Fears the Nakba | Ramzy Baroud
Copyright © 2023 World News Trust. All Rights Reserved. Joomla! is Free Software released under the GNU General Public License.