Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesperson presents Nakba commemoration bill to parliament

The Liberal Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran has presented a bill to parliament calling on the UK government to “commemorate the catastrophe” of the Palestinian Nakba.

After Monday’s presentation of bills, the British Palestinian MP told Jewish News:”My own family were forced to flee Jerusalem during the Nakba. Five and a half million Palestinian refugees worldwide now share a state of dispossession. 

“I take it upon myself, as the next generation, to carry Palestine in my heart and do whatever I can to safeguard its future.

“That’s why I presented my Nakba Commemoration Bill earlier today. I am calling on the government to start a new chapter, commemorating this catastrophe and recognising the UK’s historic obligation to the region.”

The bill calls on the secretary of state “to encourage and facilitate annual commemoration of the Nakba.”

Moran, whose mother hails from a Greek Orthodox Jerusalem family, also tabled tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) on the Nakba.  It stated that “Monday 15 May 2023 marks 75 years since 750,000 Palestinians were expelled or fled from Palestine in what is now known as the Nakba.”

But significantly the EDM also noted it “recalls the 800,000 Jews who fled or were expelled from Arab states from 1948 onwards.”  

The motion added it “calls on the Government to immediately recognise an independent Palestinian state which will help breathe new life into the peace process; and urges the Government to continue to pursue a two-state solution and a lasting peace in the region.”

British Jewish organisation Yachad tweeted they were “proud to both celebrate the existence of Israel while recognising the Palestinian history of dispossession, and the need for Palestinian statehood. These are not mutually exclusive narratives.”

The group added:”This Nakba day marks 75 years since 750,000 Palestinians were driven out of their homes.

“Many recently celebrated Yom Ha’atzmaut – 75 years of Israeli independence.

“It’s important to understand the price many Palestinians paid and the unresolved issue of Palestinian refugees.”