The Palestinian Nakba has continued for its 78th year.

by

Michael Johnstone
2–3 minutes

The 15th of May marks the date used by Palestinians and those who stand with them to remember the first Nakba. The word Nakba is Arabic, translating to catastrophe, disaster, calamity. The Nakba started in 1948 when Zionist militia started the process of ethnically cleansing the state of Palestine in order to create an ethnostate known as Israel. The Nakba continues to this day. Most significantly in recent years as witnessed with the Gaza genocide, but also seen in the West Bank with Israeli settlers attacking and robbing Palestinians of their homes, under the protection of the Israeli state armed forces.

On Sunday the 17th rallies were held around Australia. Despite the rain in Naarm/Melbourne the rally reached over a thousand attendies with speeches given by Gunnai, Gunditjmara, Djab Wurung person and Victorian Senator Lidia Thorpe, Palestinian General Surgeon Dr Bushra Othman, Palestinian Activist & Sit-Intifada Founder Ihab Alazhari, Palestinian organiser & BDS youth member Rand Khatib, Palestinian student and Students for Palestine Activist Yasmeen Atieh and Palestinian engineer and Activist Basil El-Ghattis.

Protestors wearing black vails and clothes, holding mock dead children. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)
Protestor shouting chants as the rally marches down Swanston St in the ctiy.
(Photo: Michael Johnstone)
Speaker and rally MC Basil El-Ghattis addresses the crowd gathered on the steps of the State Library of Victoria. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)
Onlookers capturing the march as it continues down Swanston St towards Flinders St Station.
(Photo: Michael Johnstone)
The rain eased up as the march made its way down Swanston St towards Flinders St Station.
(Photo: Michael Johnstone)
The rally stopped at the intersection of Flinders & Swanston St to hear speeches from Palestinian activists. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)
Protestor holds flags in front of Flinders St Station. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)
Protestor made use of a statue at the corner of Bourke & Swanston St to hold onto a sign.
(Photo: Michael Johnstone)
Protestors canine companion. Can confirm was such a good boy. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)
Despite the weather over a thousand attended the rally in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia.
(Photo: Michael Johnstone)
Protestors seen in a puddle reflection. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)
Protestor holding a home made sign. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)
Protester holding flages on a high vantage point. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)
The protest holted traffic as it progressed through the city. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)
Many canine companions were brought to the rally. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)

Photographers who also covered the event:

Find them on Instagram: @adamantly_human, @kwardphotog, @kizarster, @swakey1, @sav.edarchive

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Written and Photographed by Michael Johnstone, Copyright All Rights Reserved
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