Aranchi Rala (News Guy) writes this special write-up to mark to 77^th commemoration of Al Nakba.

Palestinian Resistance to Israeli Oppression, Sri Lanka, and the International Community
What is Al Nakba?
Al Nakba, meaning "the catastrophe" in Arabic, refers to the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. This period saw approximately 700,000 Palestinians either flee or be forcibly expelled from their homes in what became the state of Israel. The main events of Al Nakba occurred between 1947 and 1949, with the peak coinciding with the 1948 Arab-Israeli War that began on May 15, 1948, the day after Israel declared its independence. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians became refugees, and many remain stateless to this day. For Palestinians, Al Nakba is a defining national trauma, marking the loss of their homeland, their way of life, and the ongoing struggle for the right of return for refugees. Palestinians and their supporters around the world annually commemorate Nakba Day on May 15th, holding protests and remembrance events. The Nakba is not just viewed as a historical event by Palestinians but as an ongoing process of dispossession due to continued occupation, settlement expansion, and conflicts.

The Gaza Strip has now become one of the most devastated regions in the world. In fact, the current situation is so severe that no word in any existing language’s vocabulary can fully describe it.
Israel continues to commit grave crimes against humanity, violating all internationally accepted human rights conventions by ruthlessly killing civilians. The killings carried out using snipers and drone strikes, along with the continuous blockades imposed on ordinary people, have been well-documented by human rights organizations. However, despite this documentation, no real action has been taken to halt these violations. The reports by these human rights bodies have become nothing more than meaningless words in the face of the powerful nations that back and protect Israel.
Basic needs such as food and medical treatment, especially for the innocent children and civilians who are continuously injured by these attacks, have now become weapons used by Israel against the Palestinian people. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu claims that the extension of the ceasefire has been rejected by Hamas. Yet, we are not given any clear report or response from the Hamas organization regarding this claim.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has referred to the Hamas organization as "sons of dogs." In truth, he has become nothing more than a worthless puppet.
The Palestinian struggle is a form of resistance against Israeli imperialism and the forceful occupation of their lands. Through ongoing killings and the expulsion of Palestinians from their ancestral homelands, Israel has turned ethnic cleansing, displacement, and genocide into state policy.
However, erasing the identity of the Palestinian people has not been an easy task. From the act of a young boy throwing a stone at an occupying Israeli soldier to widespread global boycotts of Israeli goods and services, this resistance continues to grow stronger every day. Their struggle is for the right to exist.
Israeli oppression is a reminder that colonialism is still alive and well. Despite the tremendous disadvantages they face, Palestinians continue to resist subjugation because they are a proud people. Still, we must recognize the bitter truth: without the support of the international community, Palestinians will not be able to carry forward this struggle much longer.
At present, thousands of Sri Lankans are employed in various jobs in Israel, and many more are expected to travel there for work in the future. Therefore, Sri Lanka has very little space or opportunity to take a strong stance against Israel.
Beyond issuing statements and hosting conferences or international days in support of the Palestinian struggle, Sri Lanka does not appear to be taking any significant action in support of Palestine.
Aranchi Rala (News Guy) We have been involved in the Palestinian cause since 1988. Today, many other groups are engaged in pro-Palestinian solidarity initiatives. We have always stood firmly against crimes against humanity. Therefore, without any conditions, we should ask our government to firmly reject the barbarism of Israel. Support for Palestine should be a moral commitment from the international community.

Aranchi Rala - News Guy
Special Issue : 15, 05.2025

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