Auckland performers commemorate Al Nakba in Palestine

Recent revolutionary action in the Middle East gave special significance to Auckland’s commemoration of Al Nakba this year.

Around 50 people gathered at Auckland’s Aotea Square on May 16 to commemorate Al Nakba.

Al Nakba, or The Catastrophe, refers to the displacement of more than 700,000 Palestinians during the 1948 Palestinian War.

The commemoration was organised by the Auckland University Students for Justice in Palestine.

Through a facebook events page people were invited to perform poetry, music or theatre about struggle, resistance or injustice.

Mohamed Hassan brought the crowd’s attention to recent revolutionary action around the world. “Yesterday marked the 63rd anniversary of the Israeli occupation of Palestine … after the uprisings that have been happening in the Middle East, people all across the world have been calling for a similar uprising in Palestine.”

He went on to sing Tracy Chapman’s Talkin’ Bout a Revolution.

While the purpose of the event was to remember, it was also a call for reform.

Zaeem Baksh told the crowd that “peace only has one road leading to it. That is justice. Let us follow that road.”

He said only two things were relevant. “Liberation of Palestine first, second liberation of Palestine. Palestine will be free from the river to the sea and it will be soon.”

Audience member, Mariam Almasri talked about the effect the displacement continued to have on Palestinians. “You tell people where you come from and it’s not on the map. It’s been erased off the map.”

Al Nakba is commemorated each year around the world. Clashes often occur between Palestinians and Israel defence forces. One person was killed and 80 were injured during a march on the Gaza Strip during this year’s protests.

Mr Hassan talked about the world-wide support for the cause. “There has been a wave of protest across the Middle East in support of this. At Lebanon there were 20,000 people at the border. In Egypt there were two million people in Tahrir Square in support of the Palestinians and encouraging them to take their rights back.”