As Palestinians observe the 75th anniversary of their mass displacement known as the Nakba, a fragile cease-fire holds with the Israelis. 

What can be done to make a lasting peace in the Middle East?      

To Israelis, the creation of their state in 1948 was a moment of celebration. But for thousands of Palestinians, it became known as the Nakba or the catastrophe. Hundreds of thousands were displaced and had to flee to neighboring countries.

For the first time, the Nakba is being celebrated at the United Nations, despite criticism from Israel. 30 countries decided not to participate in events. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for the suspension of Israel’s membership from the UN for repeatedly violating resolutions.

Meanwhile, a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad appears to be holding.    

Joining the discussion: 

• Khalil Jahshan is the Executive Director of the Arab Center in Washington DC. 
• Abdel Bari Atwan is Editor-in-chief of Rai al-Youm. 
• Sara Yael Hirschhorn is an historian and political analyst.
• Gil Hoffman is the executive director of HonestReporting.

VIDEO: As Israel marks the 75th anniversary of its creation, Palestinians remember the day known as the "Nakba", or catastrophe, when more than 760,000 were either expelled or fled to neighbouring countries, leading to generations of refugees spread around the world. pic.twitter.com/Quiyyo9y4g

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 16, 2023

“Here, I breathed for the first time. I will never forget, and I will certainly return.”

On the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, survivors recall the catastrophe that befell them when their homes were violently seized by Zionist paramilitary groups in 1948 pic.twitter.com/xbAudFF1bh

— TRT World (@trtworld) May 16, 2023

The Nakba is a well-documented historical event that is being commemorated by the United Nations today.

True peace can only be built on truth and justice. pic.twitter.com/Xeo0jgxvko

— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) May 16, 2023