May 17, 2026 | 06:37 pm
Pro-Palestinian protest in London, England, January 13, 2024. Doc. Shutterstock
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Thousands of people across several United States cities held rallies to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba on Saturday night, May 16.The protests, which took place in New York City, Washington, and various other locations, were among the largest mobilizations related to the Nakba this year.Participants waved Palestinian flags and displayed symbols associated with the right of return. They also chanted slogans in support of the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem.In New York, demonstrators gathered in Washington Square Park before beginning their march.Speeches and chants at the rally highlighted the ongoing war in Gaza, solidarity with Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the link between the 1948 expulsion of Palestinians and the current situation in the occupied territories.Many demonstrators also carried replicas of the key symbolizing the Palestinian right of return to their homeland, one of the most recognizable symbols of the Nakba.In Washington, a rally was held near the White House. Participants urged an end to the war in Gaza and demanded the protection of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.The action was part of a wave of international activities commemorating the Nakba and calling for continued public and political pressure to protect Palestinian rights.Read: Middle East Updates: Big Crowds at Nakba Day Rally in LondonClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
