One of the most confronting thoughts I have on a very regular basis is that there are very few Nakba survivors left and that time is running out for them to return home to Palestine.
It’s one of the main reasons I have such a strong sense of urgency.
And today I was speaking with Adnan who was only 40 days old when the Nakba (the catastrophe of 1948 when most Indigenous People of Palestine were forced to leave their homes and ethnically cleansed.)
Adnan’s whole life has been shaped by the Nakba. And his family were scattered and never properly reunited. In fact, his mother didn’t get to see her own mother for 35 years after 1948. One ended up in Lebanon and the other in Jordan. They didn’t even know that the other had survived. Adnan shared with me about the guilt of being raised in safety while some family members suffered in refugee camps.
I think that if more of these stories were known the general public would have more compassion for the Palestinian story.
The reason I was speaking with Adnan is that both of us went along to the Free Palestine Melbourne monthly meeting today and afterwards there’s a social catch up at the pub.
The most urgent item to talk about at the meeting is the rally that is happening on Sunday November 22.
It’s a DEFEND OUR RIGHT TO PROTEST rally.
Because believe it or not…it’s very very likely that it will be illegal to protest here in Victoria if the Liberals win the State election. And let’s be honest…Labor is doing their best job at self-sabotage. I really can’t see them winning.
And Jess Wilson (the Liberal leader) has completely drunk the Zio Kool-Aid which means she’s pushing the whole “Jewish feelings trumps everything” rhetoric.
Imagine someone like Adnan who wants to be able to speak out against what Israel has been doing since he was 40 days old…not being allowed to protest because it will be seen as antisemitic.
It doesn’t pass the pub test.
And that is why it’s soooo important that we get as many Victorians to join us at the rally on Sunday, November 22.
Where: State Library
When: Noon
This is a perfect opportunity for those of you who have never felt comfortable coming to a protest before.
It’s not just for Gaza.
This will impact EVERYONE.
I would love for you to spread the word in your circles.
Yes Veronica I agree! The trouble is that any posts I share on Facebook about Palestine are only seen by one or two people. A post I shared about Halloween got 35 views! Obviously it's the algorithm. It's very discouraging...