Authorities Urged to Refrain from Suppressing Peaceful Nakba Day Protests

Amnesty International Warns Against Crackdowns

Call for Intifada as Sole Recourse

As global attention focuses on Nakba Day, Amnesty International has issued a stark warning: authorities must abstain from using excessive force against peaceful protesters. This year, Palestinians and their supporters around the globe commemorate the anniversary of the Nakba, a catastrophe in Arabic that marks the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

Nakba Day, observed annually on May 15, is a time for Palestinians to reflect on their losses and call for justice. However, concerns are rife that authorities may resort to heavy-handed tactics to quell potential protests. Amnesty International has urged authorities to respect the rights of those exercising their fundamental freedoms of assembly and expression.

In a statement, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director Saleh Higazi said: "The authorities must resist the temptation to suppress peaceful protests and ensure that people are able to exercise their right to freedom of expression without fear of reprisals."

Some Palestinian groups have advocated for an intifada, or uprising, as the only way to reclaim their rights. The potential for violence remains high, and the international community must exert pressure on all parties to exercise restraint.