63 Years of Nakba

'Youm an-Nakba' 

(Day of Catastrophe)

An annual day of commemoration for the Palestinian people of the displacement that accompanied the creation of Israel in 1948

Today marks the 63rd year of the illegal occupation of Palestine. It breaks my heart to see innocent civilians are still the victims of this crime. When will the suffering end for both Palestinians and Israelis who are caught in the middle of this war between the Israeli government and the Palestinian people? How many more will have to die before a real resolution is constructed? Why aren't the Arab nations united? So many questions run through my mind.

Today we saw uprisings by hundreds of Palestinians living in Syria, Lebanon and Egypt. So far 13 people were reported killed by Israeli troops during the protests. Although Nakba is officially commemorated on the 15th of May every year the reality is everyday is Nakba for Palestinians. All we can do is watch in disbelief.

But some choose to get creative like the mysteriously famous graffiti artist, only known as Banksy, who went to Palestine in 2005 to make a rather unique political statement.

Although the paintings themselves are not overtly political, his feelings about the wall are apparent from his statement: "The Israeli government is building a wall surrounding the occupied Palestinian territories. It stands three times the height of the Berlin Wall and will eventually run for over 700km - the distance from London to Zurich. The wall is illegal under international law and essentially turns Palestine into the world's largest open prison."

{Source: The Guardian}

 {For more: Banksy at West Bank Barrier}