Tlaib Introduces Resolution Recognizing 77 Years of Ongoing Palestinian Nakba

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) re-introduced H.Res 409 – Recognizing the Nakba and Palestinian Refugees’ Rights.

May 15, 2025, marks the 77th anniversary of the Nakba. The Nakba, which means “catastrophe” in Arabic, refers to the mass expulsion and ethnic cleansing 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 regime carry out genocide in Gaza. It is a campaign to erase Palestinians from existence,” said Congresswoman Tlaib. “War Criminal Netanyahu has threatened to ethnically cleanse the entire Palestinian population in Gaza, annex the land, and permanently occupy it. As we mark the 77th anniversary of the Nakba, we honor all of those killed since the ethnic cleansing of Palestine 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 repaired. True peace must be built on justice.”

The Israeli government also continues the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians for illegal settlements and segregated communities in the occupied 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. The United States is an accomplice in the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, providing endless funding and weapons.

Congresswoman Tlaib’s resolution commemorates the 77th 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 Reps.André Carson (IN-07), Summer Lee (PA-12), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).

This legislation is endorsed by Adalah Justice Project, American Council for Judaism, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Americans for Justice in Palestine Action (AJP Action), Arab Resource & Organizing Center Action (AROC Action), Busboys and Poets, Center for Constitutional Rights, Center for Jewish Nonviolence, Christians for a Free Palestine, CODEPINK, Community Alliance for Peace and Justice, DAWN, Defense for Children International – Palestine, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA), Gen-Z for Change, Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ, Hindus for Human Rights, Historians for Peace and Democracy, IfNotNow Movement, Institute for Middle East Understanding Policy Project, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Justice is Global, MADRE, MARUF CT, Mennonite Action, Minnesota Peace Project, MPower Change Action Fund, Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), National Lawyers Guild – Detroit & Michigan Chapter, National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies, Nonviolence International, North Carolina Peace Action, Palestine House of Freedom, Pax Christi Long Island (NY), Pax Christi New York State, Pax Christi USA, Peace Action, Peace Action of Broome County NY, Peace Justice Sustainability NOW, Prayers for Peace Alliance, Progressive Jews of St. Louis, Rabbis for Ceasefire, Rethinking Foreign Policy, Rising Majority, RootsAction, Stu Naismith Veterans for Peace Chapter 90, Sunrise Movement, United Church of Christ, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights Action, Veterans for Peace, and World Beyond War.

The full text of the resolution is available here.

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