A Palestinian refugee in the West Bank city of Qalqilia. Palestinians are preparing to mark the anniversary of the 'nakba,' in which thousands were forced from their homes in what would become Israel. (Maan Images)

Preparations are underway for the commemoration of the 59th anniversary of the Palestinian 'Nakba' ('Catastrophe') in May.

2007 marks the 40th anniversary of Israel's occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, and 59 years since Israel's establishment and the consequent Palestinian 'catastrophe' in which thousands of Palestinians were forced into exile.

Palestinians today are still struggling, particularly against the ongoing construction of the separation wall.

As a result, this year there are a huge number of events planned. The Bethlehem-based BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights announced in a press release that a national coordination committee has been formed, representing Palestinian civil society and political movements both from the 1967 occupied Palestinian territories and Israel. They hope this will result in "effective coordination and maximum impact."

According to BADIL, this committee has emphasized the need for a "firm stand on Palestinian national principles [...], foremost the right of return of Palestinian refugees to their homes and properties in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution 194, which is the essence and the center of the Palestinian cause and a sacred right which must not be prejudiced."

BADIL announced in its press release that commemorations of the 59th anniversary of the Palestinian 'Nakba' will be launched in Israel on 24 April with the traditional "Return-March" of Palestinian citizens of Israel to the 1948 depopulated village of Allajun.

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According to the organisers of the Allajun march, participants will carry flags, and hold slogans recalling the right of return, and banners with the names of hundreds of destroyed and displaced villages. The march will end with a popular festival containing brief addresses and a cultural presentation followed by a tour around the village and a variety of cultural activities.

On 1 May, the Cultural Palace in Ramallah will be the site of the first Al-Awda Award Festival. This annual event is aimed at "encouraging cultural expression on the Nakba and the right of return," BADIL says. Awards will go to the best 'Nakba-Awda' poster, best short film, best children's story, best oral history account and best research paper. The El- Funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe will also perform at the festival.

Later in the summer, the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) is also mobilizing supporters worldwide to come to the occupied Palestinian territories to witness the ongoing violations. "International volunteers help reveal to the world the truth on the ground from Occupied Palestine," ISM says in a press release.

As part of their planned "Freedom Summer 2007", ISM says volunteers may take part in demonstrations against the wall, protest the demolition of Palestinian homes, work as human rights monitors, provide emergency medical services, help disassemble roadblocks, write press releases, or run artistic workshops.

See www.badil.org for more information on the BADIL events.

This article was originally published by Maan News and is republished with permission.