Al Nakba

Guide Note

al Nakba is the term used by Palestinians to refer to the exodus from the British Mandate of Palestine following the 1948 Arab Israeli War. Meaning "the catastrophe," "disaster" or "cataclysm," al Nakba also refers to the 1948 Arab Israeli War itself.

The United Nations estimated that 711,000 Palestinian Refugees were created by the conflict. The United Nations also classified a quarter of the Palestinians remaining in what is now Israel as internal refugees. The issue of Palestinian Refugees and their Right of Return remains a controversial point in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Today, Israel enforces a "prevention of infiltration law" that prevents Palestinian Refugees from returning to their old homes. Meanwhile, the number of displaced Palestinians has increased to over 4 million by United Nations estimates and definitions. Supporters of the Right of Return argue that it is defined by international law as a basic and inalienable right.

The anniversary of al Nakba is celebrated each year as Nakba Day, or "Day of the the Catastrophe," on March 15. It commemorates the beginning of the Palestinian exodus. It is also celebrated as a Palestinian counter to Israeli independence day celebrations.

Fast Facts

1. Describes the Palestinian exodus from the British Mandate of Palestine and then Israel
2. Also used to refer to the 1948 Arab Israeli War
3. Began in 1947 as violence in the British Mandate of Palestine began to increase
4. Reached a peak during the 1948 Arab Israeli War
5. Continued until the end of the 1948 Arab Israeli War, in 1948
6. The United Nations estimates 711,000 Palestinian Refugee were created
7. An estimated 40,000 internal refugees were created
8. Commemorated March 15 every year on Nakba Day
9. Palestinian Refugees and the issue of Right of Return created by al Nakba continue to be controversial pints in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict