WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) introduced a House Resolution Recognizing the Nakba and Palestinian Refugees’ Rights.

The Nakba, which means “catastrophe” in Arabic, refers to the mass expulsion of Palestinians from their homes and homeland during creation of the state of Israel (1947-49). The Nakba did not end in 1948, but continues to this day as Israeli forces commit genocide in Gaza.

“The Nakba never ended. Today we are witnessing the Israeli apartheid government carry out genocide in Gaza. A campaign to erase Palestinians from existence,” said Congresswoman Tlaib. “Over 1.7 million Palestinians have been displaced from their homes. Over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed. Children are starving to death. The entire population of Gaza is on the brink of famine. Mass graves with over 390 bodies were recently discovered at Nasser and Al Shifa hospitals. As we mark the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, we honor all the lives lost since the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians began, and the Palestinians who were forced from their homes and violently displaced from their land. This immense trauma, including the loss of their loved ones and connections to the communities they grew up in, needs to be acknowledged. True peace must include the presence of justice.”

The Israeli government also continues the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians for illegal settlements and segregated communities in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the destruction of Palestinian homes and seizure of agricultural land, revocation of residency rights, and denies the internationally recognized legal right of return of millions of Palestinian refugees. Yet, our country enables this with continued funding and supply of weapons.

Congresswoman Tlaib’s resolution commemorates the 76th anniversary of the Nakba and promotes better education and understanding of this well-documented historical event. The resolution also calls on Congress to reinstate support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides live-saving humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.

This legislation is cosponsored by Congressmembers Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Cori Bush (MO-01), André Carson (IN-07), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Summer Lee (PA-12).

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

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