The ongoing and severe aggression in the Gaza Strip, persisting for over seven months, has significantly influenced the discourse surrounding the narratives of the 1948 war and the events that led to the Nakba and subsequent displacement of the Palestinian people. For nearly eight decades, both the Israeli aggressor and the Palestinian victim have been actively presenting their conflicting narratives to the global audience, each seeking to validate the righteousness of their respective causes.

Throughout this prolonged conflict, both parties have utilized various international platforms—political, diplomatic, legal, academic, cultural, media, artistic, social, and trade union—to articulate their positions and garner support. This engagement has allowed them to score points and achieve varying degrees of success, thereby expanding the conflict's reach. As a result, supporters of both sides have mobilized, effectively creating two opposing global camps that have continued to grow in size and influence over the years as events have unfolded.

Lack of Arab Support

The Israeli occupation has consistently sought to maintain the narrative that it bears no responsibility for the 1948 Nakba. This includes denying involvement in the massacres perpetrated against the Palestinian people throughout the territory of Palestine, as well as evading accountability for the displacement of Palestinians from their cities, villages, and towns. For several decades following the 1948 Nakba, the occupation capitalized on the lack of documentation and the absence of rigorous and impartial media coverage during that time. Additionally, the fragmentation of the Palestinian population, their vulnerability and disunity, along with the lack of Arab support that could have aided in countering the claims of the aggressor, further facilitated this narrative.

The global impact of the occupation, coupled with the near-universal backing of Western nations on both sides of the Atlantic, has facilitated the widespread acceptance of the occupation narrative. This narrative has been effectively integrated into the Western collective consciousness, allowing its inaccuracies to persist throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Consequently, the portrayal of the occupation in the Western mindset has been that of a victim facing an onslaught of Arab animosity and ongoing Palestinian terrorism.

In certain academic texts from universities in Western countries, one may encounter the characterization of refugees and displaced individuals as Israelis, while the state of Israel is depicted as being under occupation. The West, which supports the occupying state, has actively sought to suppress the Palestinian narrative, denying it the opportunity to challenge the opposing viewpoint.

The emergence of the Palestinian narrative towards the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century can be attributed to various factors, including the ongoing unlawful actions of the occupying state and the evolution and accessibility of media. Nevertheless, a significant portion of European and international public opinion has remained largely uninformed about the established facts surrounding the Nakba and the subsequent actions of the occupation. A primary reason for this ignorance is the unwavering support of Western powers for the occupying state and their efforts to utilize influential mechanisms within Europe, the United States, and their allies to ensure the dominance of the occupation state's narrative on the global stage.

However, the unwavering determination of the Palestinian people to sustain their cause over the past decades, refusing to allow it to be forgotten or concluded, has been realized despite the intensity of the occupation, the scale of international conspiracies, and the significant challenges and sacrifices involved. The enduring nature of their cause, coupled with a robust demand for rights, has played a crucial role in gradually advancing the Palestinian narrative within the global consciousness.

Replacement Scheme

The arguments presented by the Palestinian people assert that an international conspiracy was orchestrated against them, characterized by the implementation of a replacement scheme in Palestine. This scheme involved the demographic alteration of the region through the immigration of Jewish individuals from various global locations, allowing them to settle in Palestine. This process was accompanied by acts of violence and massacres against the indigenous Palestinian population, who rightfully owned the land, leading to the forced displacement of approximately 900,000 individuals. Consequently, this situation facilitated the establishment of an occupying state, which was granted international legitimacy. Throughout this period, the Palestinian people have remained in dire conditions as refugees, lacking a political entity or state that would afford them even a minimal degree of sovereignty.

The grave events that have transpired from October of the previous year to this May, the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, alongside the acts of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and systematic killings carried out by the occupying authority, have laid bare the crimes of the occupation in a tangible way, visible to the entire world, and supported by unprecedentedly precise documentation. This has illuminated the reality of the events surrounding the Nakba of 1948, underscoring that the fundamentally criminal character of the occupying state is not a recent development.

The current situation serves as undeniable proof of the occurrence of the Deir Yassin and Dawaima massacres, alongside 90 other massacres throughout historic Palestine, resulting in no fewer than 15,000 martyrs, as documented by historian Dr. Salman Abu Sitta. While these figures are significant, they pale in comparison to the genocidal acts being perpetrated during the years 2023 and 2024, during which the occupation has claimed the lives of over 35,000 Palestinian martyrs. Additionally, thousands remain missing under the rubble since October 7, until the 76th anniversary of the Nakba in mid-May. More than 3,000 massacres have been recorded, executed in a brutal, sadistic, and cold-blooded manner. Furthermore, nearly 100,000 individuals have sustained injuries, with the vast majority of the victims being women and children.

The historical claims of the Palestinian people have reached a point where they no longer require further substantiation, as the world witnesses these events unfold in vivid detail, revealing undeniable truths. This has prompted global populations to oppose the occupying state. The true nature of the usurping entity has become apparent, and the narratives propagated by Western media to justify the occupation have been discredited, whether portraying it as a bastion of democracy or depicting its citizens as advocates of peace and civilization in the Middle East.

The incident involving the (uncivilized) ambassador of the occupying state at the United Nations General Assembly on May 10, where he tore up the United Nations Charter in front of its members in response to a significant vote favoring a recommendation to the Security Council for the recognition of the State of Palestine, exemplifies sheer arrogance. This act has fostered a global atmosphere of provocation, resonating at both official and grassroots levels. Through these events, the world is gaining a profound understanding of the injustices endured by the Palestinian people at the hands of the occupation and its allies for over a century.

Accusations and Allegations

On the other hand, the various manifestations of racism, both verbal and physical, exhibited by numerous sectors of the occupying state—including politicians, religious leaders, academics, military officials, and soldiers—against the Palestinian population in Gaza can be characterized as a dehumanization of the Palestinian people. This behavior highlights the racist superiority inherent in the Israeli occupation and serves to invalidate the accusations and claims made by the occupying state's propaganda regarding alleged racist actions by Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims against Jews over the past several decades.

It appears that history is repeating itself in multiple instances of the conflict surrounding Palestine. The international support that favors the aggressor, disregarding political, legal, and humanitarian principles, is being echoed today by the same nations and the descendants of the political figures involved eight decades ago and earlier.

As of the current moment, the European Union has yet to denounce the ongoing massacres, despite the fact that the killing of the Palestinian population has persisted for seven months. Furthermore, there has been no indication that the EU is considering these actions as genocide or ethnic cleansing. In reality, many of these nations continue to provide various forms of support to the occupying state, predominantly military assistance, while simultaneously attempting to silence outspoken advocates. A notable example of this is the case of Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a British academic of Palestinian descent, who was banned from entering Germany, France, and the Netherlands. He was prevented from sharing his firsthand accounts of the conditions he witnessed in Gaza hospitals during the 45 days he spent amidst the ongoing crisis.

On the diplomatic front, the overtly partial actions of the United States are evident, particularly through its repeated use of the veto to obstruct calls for an immediate halt to the violence, despite the graphic evidence of killings. This includes the rare invocation of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' authority to activate Chapter VII in a plea for intervention to safeguard the Palestinian people. However, Washington's veto effectively stifled the proposed resolution. This behavior reflects a historical pattern reminiscent of the UN's actions in 1947, which facilitated the adoption of the unjust partition resolution that ultimately led to the establishment of the occupying state, thereby providing cover for its ongoing transgressions in Palestine.

Notwithstanding the magnitude of the events and the significant losses endured by the Palestinian people during the current crisis, the occupying state and its allies are unlikely to achieve outcomes comparable to those established following the Nakba of 1948. The Palestinian, Arab, and international contexts—both at popular and official levels—have experienced crucial and transformative changes that hinder the proponents of the occupation state from maneuvering effectively across various dimensions. Furthermore, the deeply fragmented situation within the occupying state itself, which they have been unable to conceal or defer, exacerbates the challenges they face amid an intense conflict waged by the occupying state on multiple fronts, both regionally and globally.

Open Media

The awareness among the Palestinian populace regarding the conspiracy and the plan for displacement, coupled with their steadfast commitment to their rights and efforts to reclaim them through means sanctioned by international law, has fostered a strong collective resolve to resist the occupier. This resistance is the minimum entitlement recognized by all legal frameworks. Furthermore, the recognition by Arab nations of the ongoing displacement and their firm opposition to it has significantly undermined the feasibility of displacement and forced relocation, rendering the scenario of 1948 increasingly unattainable.

On the national front, Palestinian activism has surged across various domains. The enhancement of the Palestinian presence globally has complicated the efforts of the occupying state to implement its strategies. Nevertheless, several concurrent factors that have accompanied Palestinian resilience have mitigated this progress at the Arab level, presenting challenges to the Israeli war machine that continues to kill the Palestinian people.

Additionally, the advent of open media, advancements in information technology, and the expansion of the Palestinian national movement have collectively contributed to the growth of Palestinian activism, further complicating the operational capabilities of the Israeli war machine against the Palestinian populace. As global awareness continues to evolve alongside the emergence of new facts, a robust counteraction has developed against the conspiratorial schemes targeting the Palestinian people. This solidarity has manifested in various powerful and urgent forms, notably exemplified by the recent university protests across America and Europe, which followed a series of demonstrations involving tens of thousands of participants that have filled the streets of cities and capitals worldwide since October 7. This situation lends credence to a long-held assertion by researchers and politicians: "Had open media existed during the Nakba of 1948, it might have been averted."

The dynamics of global polarization and a significant shift in the balance of power may make it difficult to break the power of the Palestinian people. A pertinent example can be seen in the voting behavior of four nations regarding the partition resolution: Russia (formerly the Soviet Union), South Africa, Nicaragua, and Brazil. Notably, South Africa, which once served as a strategic ally to the occupying power and its racist regime, has transformed into a staunch advocate for Palestinian rights, with the strategic proceedings at the Hague Court marking a pivotal moment in this regard. China, which abstained from voting on the partition resolution, now plays a crucial role in the global arena concerning the Palestinian struggle for rights. Additionally, Iran, Türkiye, and Qatar have distinguished themselves in their support, while other nations have shifted their positions to varying extents, potentially influencing the balance of power in favor of the Palestinian people.

The ongoing situation in Palestine, particularly the hostilities in Gaza, along with the broader context involving Palestinian, Arab, and international dynamics, notably the determination and consciousness of the Palestinian populace, complicates the possibility of a recurrence of the 1948 Nakba. Despite the suffering, anguish, and losses endured by the Palestinian people, they are increasingly positioned to reclaim their rights, particularly the right to return to their original villages and cities from which they were forcibly removed, all in accordance with international law.

 Source: Al-Jazeera Net (Unofficial translation)