01 May 2025 – The Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB) with the Palestine Coalition joined voices from around the world in an online rally commemorating 77 years since the Nakba and renewing its unwavering solidarity with the people of Gaza, currently enduring a catastrophic genocide.
The rally, co-organised by the Palestine Alliance in the UK, brought together activists, allies, and community leaders for a powerful evening of truth-telling, resistance, and calls to action. Key speakers included Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, General Secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative, and Zaher Birawi, Chairman of the Palestinian Forum in Britain.
“A Second, Greater Nakba”
Dr. Barghouti opened the event with a stark message about the scale of destruction in Gaza. “We are witnessing the combination of three war crimes: genocide, ethnic cleansing, and starvation,” he declared. With over 100,000 tonnes of explosives dropped on Gaza, entire communities have been wiped from the map. He highlighted that 10% of Gaza’s population has already been killed, injured, or imprisoned, describing it as “a second, much bigger Nakba.”
As a medical doctor, Barghouti detailed the unfolding humanitarian and health catastrophe: thousands of wounded left untreated due to the total siege, growing epidemics of infectious diseases, and children dying of starvation. “This is biological warfare,” he warned, pointing to the alarming rise in hepatitis, the risk of polio returning, and Israel’s blockade of vaccines.
He condemned the global inaction despite clear rulings from the International Criminal Court and proceedings at the International Court of Justice: “This is fascism, not just racism. And it continues with the silence, or complicity, of world powers.”
Barghouti issued an urgent plea to British civil society: “We need more. Demonstrations outside Downing Street, legal action against Israeli war criminals, and pressure on every MP, especially the Labour Party, to act. Every minute of silence means another child is killed.”
“This is the Continuation of the Nakba”
In his address, Zaher Birawi celebrated the achievements of the Palestine Alliance in Britain, calling it “the most distinguished model of solidarity worldwide.” He commended attendees and campaigners for “breaking through the silence” with tireless protests, marches, and advocacy.
“This is not an isolated tragedy,” Birawi said. “What we see in Gaza is the continuation of the Nakba that began in 1948. But despite the devastation, our people remain steadfast. We will not abandon our land, and we will continue to resist by all legitimate means until Palestine is free.”
Birawi emphasised that Israel’s impunity, enabled by the silence and support of governments such as the UK and the US, has turned the Palestinian crisis into a global justice crisis. He drew parallels with the fall of Apartheid in South Africa, stating confidently that “the world is waking up to Israel’s apartheid.”
As the 77th Nakba anniversary approaches, he called for more than remembrance: “We must act.” Highlighting Palestinian workers’ perseverance under siege and occupation on International Workers’ Day, he urged the public to amplify their struggle by marching, protesting, supporting the BDS movement, and demanding an end to UK arms sales to Israel.
A Call to Action: National March for Palestine
Both speakers underscored the importance of the upcoming Nakba 77 National March for Palestine, to be held on Saturday, 17th May in London. With Gaza’s suffering intensifying, they called on supporters to take to the streets and reject genocide, displacement, and government complicity.
“We are suffering,” said Dr. Barghouti. “But with your solidarity, Palestine will rise. With justice, we will return.”
