Class 1: History of Palestine
Introduction to The Nakba
"The Nakba," translating to catastrophe in Arabic, signifies the establishment of the settler colony of Israel in 1948—a pivotal and traumatic episode in Palestinian history. This discourse delves into the formation of Israel as a Western colonial project grounded in white supremacy, religious fundamentalism, and political Zionism, fundamentally reshaping the lives of the indigenous Palestinian population.
Creation of the Settler Colony of Israel
In mid-May 1948, the settler colony of Israel was declared on the land of Palestine, leading to the displacement and ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Palestinian people. The foundation of Israel was a culmination of a long-term Zionist plan, supported by Western powers, to establish a Jewish state in the heart of the Arab world. The ensuing years witnessed the consolidation of Zionist control over the land, marked by systematic and discriminatory policies aimed at erasing Palestinian identity and presence.
What is ‘Settler Colonialism’
Every Israeli city is built on the rubble of a Palestinian city and the mass graves of the native Palestinians brutally massacred by settlers. Settler colonialism occurs when foreign settlers invade an already inhabited land to permanently occupy it and build a new society. This process directly comes at the expense of the indigenous people, leading to their permanent expulsion, with the goal of replacing the native population and exploiting their resources and land (see graphic for an example). To fully comprehend settler colonialism in Palestine, we can examine some examples from the recent past.
Examples of settler colonies include the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the French colonial occupation of Algeria.
Ethnic Cleansing and Dispossession
The creation of Israel was accompanied by the forced expulsion of approximately 80% of the Palestinian population from their homes and lands. This mass displacement, a clear act of ethnic cleansing, was followed by the enactment of laws like the Absentee’s Property Law and the Land Acquisitions Law. These laws facilitated the systematic seizure of Palestinian properties, including homes, lands, and bank accounts, effectively transferring the wealth and resources of the Palestinian economy to the nascent Israeli state. This process significantly reduced the cost of settling Zionist families in Palestine, thus subsidizing the economic foundation of Israel.
Israel’s expands its settler colony
Following its establishment, the settler colony of Israel engaged in continuous military and political maneuvers to expand its territory and suppress any form of Palestinian resistance. The 1956 tripartite attack on Egypt, involving Israel, France, and Britain, was a clear example of Israel's regional ambitions and its alignment with colonial interests. This attack, while a military success, faced international condemnation and was ultimately a political setback for the aggressors.
Palestinian Resistance and the PLO
In the backdrop of ongoing oppression and dispossession, Palestinian refugees began to organize and resist the settler colony's expansionist policies. This period saw a shift in Palestinian leadership towards those willing to actively resist and fight for their right to return. In 1964, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) emerged as a manifestation of this new, refugee-led leadership dedicated to the liberation of Palestine and the return of its people. The PLO's formation countered the narrative that Palestinian identity was a post-1960s invention, asserting the long-standing Palestinian struggle for self-determination.
The history of the establishment of the settler colony of Israel is not merely a historical event but an ongoing process of colonization and resistance. Understanding this history from the Palestinian perspective is crucial to comprehend the enduring struggle for Palestinian rights and self-determination. The Nakba remains a central element in the Palestinian collective memory, a reminder of loss, resilience, and the unyielding quest for justice and freedom.