The "Nakba Narrative"

[Mosby]

Here is the Palestinian writer and literary critic Hassan Khader on the “Nakba Narrative.”

Despite the fact that the signed agreements shook the foundations of accepted Palestinian norms and expectations, the PLO did not fail to develop rhetoric that emphasized the extent of its continued commitment to, and perhaps even conformity with, the traditional Narrative, despite obvious contradictions.

He goes on to say:

There is a unique set of dynamics to this ring of contradiction, most which involve attempts to compensate for secretly deviating from the Narrative by engaging in more eloquent rhetoric that invokes the themes of the constants, the conjuring of memory and the supposed optimism of the will. All these compensatory gestures are effective only in preventing any accumulation of political wisdom, and lead us time and again to the same errors. Therefore, the Palestinians continuously return to square one, as if the sixty years of Nakba and a hundred years of conflict in and over Palestine, could not yield a moment of reflection or a single lesson learned.

Khader’s entire piece, thoughtfully translated by the American Task Force on Palestine, can be read here.

http://www.jewcy.com/post/nakba_narrative

ATFP Original Translation: The Nakba Narrative
http://www.americantaskforce.org/daily_news_article/2009/06/01/1243828800_2

[Vegasaurus]

1. The Nakba Narrative

has contributed to 60 years of misery.

It has prevented the Palestinians from moving on, since they still think they are going to return to their former homes.

They aren't, and the Arab leadership is intent on keeping up the rhetoric, which in turn increases the misery.