15 May - Nakba Day: Day of the Catastrophe

Israel'shuman rights violations and the massacres that it has carried out since the beginning of the 20thcentury became more violent after it declared the establishment of the occupied state in Palestinian territories on May 14, 1948. Five hours after the declaration of the founding of Israel, gangs associated with the occupying state embarked on an ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. As a result of the ethnic cleansing that took place on May 15, 15,000 Palestinian were killed, and 800,000 Palestinians fled to neighbouring countries to escape from Israeli persecution.

14.05.2012 - 15 May - Nakba Day: Day of the Catastrophe

The Palestinians, whose rights, lands, homeland, lives, and goods were extorted, call 15 May 1948 'en-Nakba' - meaning the great catastrophe.

The lands, where more than 500 villages were razed by the Israeli Zionists, witnessed that the women who survived or whose husbands were sent or taken to concentration camps sought refuge in Arab countries after taking their children and whatever they could get from their demolished houses. Nakba, which resulted in a massive exodus of 800,000 Palestinians, is the beginning of the issue of Palestinian refugees. This event put the problem of of Palestinian refugees on the agenda of the international community. Currently, approximately 6 million of the more than 10 million strong Palestinian population live away from their homes as refugees,and wait for the day that they will return to their occupied homes.

NakbaDay is remembered by Palestinians and their friends with various protests and demonstrations held all over the world in order to commemorate the souls of the Palestinian martyrs; to mourn the martyrs, rights, lands, goods, and properties that were lost as a result of the Israeli massacre; and to support the Palestinian resistance.

Sunday, May 15 is the 64rdanniversary of the great catastrophe NAKBA. And today, millions around the world will come together to support the Palestinian people, and will protest against the Israeli occupation and the massacres. It will be reminded that the Palestinian people are not alone.