By Wallace Mawire
The Zimbabwe Palestine Solidarity Committee and other various organizations on Thursday 15 May, 2025 observed Nakba Day in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Nakba Day, also known as the “Catastrophe” in Arabic, is a day of remembrance observed on May 15th. It commemorates the displacement and exile of Palestinians from their homes in what is now Israel during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.
The Nakba, which translates to “catastrophe” in Arabic, refers to the events surrounding the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. During this time, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced to flee or were expelled from their homes, leading to a long-lasting refugee crisis.
Nakba Day is significant for Palestinians and their supporters, as it
commemorates the loss of land, homes and livelihoods for many Palestinians highlights the ongoing issues faced by Palestinians, including displacement, occupation and refugee status.
Many Palestinians and their supporters use Nakba Day to demand recognition of their right of return to their ancestral homes and to advocate for an end to the Israeli occupation.
Nakba Day is observed in various ways, including protests and demonstrations.
Many Palestinians and their supporters hold protests and demonstrations to raise awareness about their cause.
Events are held to commemorate the Nakba, including lectures, exhibitions and cultural activities.
People around the world show solidarity with the Palestinian people by participating in events and campaigns. Some of the organizations which participated in the event held in Harare at the Palestine Embassy include the Women Writers Support Network who highlighted that they stood in support with the Palestinian people, especially women and children who continued to be persecuted. Other organizations include the Women of World Day of Prayer Zimbabwe who prayed for the freedom of the Palestinian people, denouncing displacements, genocide and
denouncing another Al Nakba. The Zimbabwe Institute of Diplomacy mourned the Palestinian people killed in Gaza and urged the international community to intervene on the ongoing conflict.
The Palestine Ambassador to Zimbabwe Dr Tammer Almassry thanked the people of Zimbabwe, the ruling ZANU-PF party and various organizations for standing in solidarity with the people of Palestine. The Zimbabwe Palestine Solidarity Council said any state that embraces Israel today does so in the blood of Palestinian children. He said the world must also expose the Zionist manipulation of Christianity and the Bible to justify their settler colonial project. The organization said there is no biblical justification for genocide.