The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today commemorates Nakba Day, marking 77 years since the mass displacement of Palestinians and destruction of their homeland in 1948.
The Nakba, meaning “catastrophe” in Arabic, refers to the violent campaign in which Zionist militias and terrorist organizations including the Irgun that would later form the Israeli military destroyed more than 530 Palestinian villages, carried out numerous massacres, and killed more than 15,000 people. More than 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes, creating a refugee crisis that persists to this day.
WATCH: UN NAKBA DAY COMMEMORATION — 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“The Nakba never ended—it transformed. What began in 1948 as mass displacement and destruction continues today in Gaza, where entire families vanish under rubble and a people are systematically denied their right to exist with dignity.
“Recognizing this continuity is not just about remembering history; it’s about confronting the present. We must continue to speak out, organize, and resist until justice is served and the Palestinian people are free from occupation, apartheid, and genocide. Our struggle is not only for remembrance but for justice, liberation and peace.”
In early 1948, Zionist militias and terrorist organizations including the Irgun launched coordinated military assaults to seize control of Palestinian towns and cities. These forces used bombings, forced expulsions, and village demolitions to instill fear and displace Palestinians, deliberately dismantling the foundation of Palestinian society to prevent the formation of a Palestinian state.
Successive Israeli governments have continued to enforce policies that marginalize Palestinians, restrict their movement, and deny access to land, resources, and political rights. The expansion of settlements in the West Bank, the blockade of Gaza, and the demolition of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem have deepened the humanitarian crisis and entrenched systemic inequality.
United Nations Resolution 194 affirms the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes—a right that remains unfulfilled nearly eight decades later. Since October 2023, Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, continuing the legacy of the Nakba through modern-day genocide, siege, and displacement.
Commemorating Nakba Day serves as a powerful act of remembrance and resistance. It keeps Palestinian history alive and honors a people who have shown unwavering strength through generations of struggle. Though May 15 has become the official day of remembrance, the displacement began months earlier; by that date in 1948, Zionist forces had already expelled half of the total number of Palestinian refugees.
CAIR-NJ urges individuals, educators, faith leaders, and activists to mark Nakba Day by learning its history, uplifting Palestinian voices, and supporting movements for peace, justice, and human rights.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, aelamroussi@cair.com, 551-208-5482
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