Northfielders for Justice in Palestine / Israel

NJP/I News & Upcoming Events

Northfielders for Justice in Palestine/Israel (NJP/I) is a local community group whose aim is to educate and inform Northfield and the surrounding area about the ongoing occupation of Palestine and to advocate peace and justice for all people who live in Palestine and Israel.

REMEMBERING THE NAKBA
 
The Nakba (Catastrophe) is the expulsion of over 750,000 Palestinians (half the Palestinian population) from their homes and land, and the destruction of Palestinian society during the creation of the State of Israel on May 15 1948 – a destruction that continues today – the ongoing Nakba.
 
During this event on Saturday, May 10  @ 1 pm in Bridge Square, Northfield MN we will hear more about the story of what happened to the Palestinian people on May 15, 1948. 
 
The main part of this event is the reading of the names of the depopulated and destroyed villages.  As each village name is read a bell is rung, and a small flag is placed on a large map in the location of one of the villages.  Those present are invited to take a turn at placing a flag on the map. 
 
This is a family-friendly event with a children’s table.  You are invited to bring a folding chair. 
 
We cannot hope to understand the present turmoil in Palestine/Israel – let alone achieve a just peace for all those who live there – without knowing where and how this world-shaking conflict began.
 
 
WHAT IS THE NAKBA?
 
The Nakba—meaning “catastrophe” in Arabic—generally refers to the forced displacement] of over 800,000 Palestinians and depopulation of 500+ Palestinian towns and villages before and after the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. This mass displacement is described as “ethnic cleansing” by academics including Israeli historian Ilan Pappe. In fact, forced displacement of Palestinians began during the British Mandate period, while many refer to an “ongoing Nakba” to describe the continuing displacement of Palestinians by the Israeli state up to the present day. Today an estimated half of all Palestinians around the world are descended from those displaced in the Nakba, and are denied the right to return by Israel.
WHY PALESTINE?
 
There are many situations of injustice in the world, but this is the one we as Americans are paying for and directly supporting. Israel is the largest recipient of US financial and military aid, and we prevent it from being held to international standards of conduct with our veto power at 
the United Nations. Our country’s global reputation has suffered from association with Israel’s oppression of Palestinians. This endangers our citizens at home and abroad.
 
More than 50,000 Palestinians in Gaza and hundreds in the West Bank have been killed through Israel’s bombings, starvation and attacks. Over 100,000 more have been injured. 90% of Gaza’s population, or about 1.9 million people, have been displaced from their homes. 
Before the war, there were already 7 million Palestinian refugees who had fled in the face of what Israeli historian Ilan Pappe has called ethnic cleansing. More than 5 million remain, living under a brutal system of apartheid that major human rights organizations have 
documented.
 
It is long past time for the world to acknowledge the humanity and human rights of the Palestinian people. As Americans who have been funding oppression with our tax dollars, we cannot be silent.
 
OTHER RESOURCES:
 
1948: Creation & Catastrophe (2017, 1:25) 
Through riveting and moving personal recollections of both Palestinians and Israelis, 1948: Creation & Catastrophe reveals the shocking events of the most pivotal year in the most controversial conflict in the world. It tells the story of the establishment of Israel as seen through the eyes of the people who lived it. It is simply not possible to make sense of what is happening today without an understanding of 1948.     
 
The Palestinian Nakba Explained  — Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU)
For more information, contact Jenny Hartley at [email protected]
 
 
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Dozens gathered Saturday, May 11, to remember the Nakba, and to march in solidarity with mothers in Palestine. This link will take you to the comments given by Ahmed Tharwat of BelAhdan, Minnesota based television host, producer and filmmaker.

The Nakba is the expulsion of over 750,000 Palestinians from their homes and land, and the destruction of Palestinian society during the creation of the State of Israel – a destruction that continues today – the ongoing Nakba.

We cannot hope to understand the present turmoil in the Holy Land – let alone achieve a just peace for all those who live there -without knowing  where and how this world-shaking conflict began: with the ethnic cleansing of indigenous people from their homeland.

(Photo courtesy of Margie O’loughlin)

 

About 100 supporters of Northfielders for Justice in Palestine and Israel (NJP/I) joined a Global Day of Action for Gaza on Saturday, March 3, 2024, to urge the Northfield City Council to demand an end to the bombing in Gaza by Israel military forces.

(Photo courtesy of Margie O’loughlin)

(Photo courtesy of Margie O’loughlin)

(Photo courtesy of Margie O’loughlin)

Free Online Palestine Focused Films

Northfielders for Justice in Palestine Israel (NJP/I) recommends the following two online sources of films related to the history, culture, and situation of the Palestinian people.

Monthly free films can be watched on your own time, after you have registered, then you may log on for a discussion of the film on the third Sunday of the month 2 pm CT.

Click here for link to Voices from the Holy Land

Weekly (Sat 11 am CT) films are offered at this site.  By joining the email list you will receive notices of  the up-coming  films each week where you can register to view the free films online. The films are followed by discussion.   

Click here for link to Palestine Museum

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