English

Alternative forms

• nakba (Al-Nakba, an-Nakba)
• Naqba, naqba (al-Naqba)
• Nacba

Proper noun

Nakba

1. The foundation of the State of Israel and subsequent expulsion or flight of the majority of the Palestinian Arabs (some 700,000) among its residents, perceived as a catastrophe by many Palestinians and others.

Usage notes

• For political reasons, use of this term is highly controversial; in particular, many Israelis and others reject the notion that the foundation of the State of Israel itself was a catastrophe for resident Palestinians.
• This term is frequently found with the Arabic definite article اَل ‎(al-, “the”) instead of the English definite article the: Al-Nakba.

Derived terms

• Nakba Day
• Nakba denial

Translations

See also

• 1948 Palestinian exodus on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

English

Proper noun

nakba

1. Alternative letter-case form of Nakba
   • 1992, Philip Mattar, The Mufti of Jerusalem (ISBN 0231064632), page 140:

     Some Arab biographers have lauded him and his cause, seeking to absolve him of any responsibility for the 1948 nakba, while Jewish nationalists vilify him and discredit his movement.

   • 2009, Nissim Rejwan, Arabs in the Mirror: Images and Self-Images (ISBN 0292774451), page 149:

     Ever since the 1948 nakba, Arab thinkers and intellectuals have been studying the causes of their condition and recommending ways for changing or improving it.

   • 2009, Sumantra Bose, Contested lands (ISBN 0674028562), page 262

     Indeed, violence broke out in the occupied territories in mid-May 2000 as Palestinians observed the anniversary of the 1948 nakba—these disturbances paled in comparison to the second intifada, which erupted in the autumn.

Noun

nakba ‎(plural nakbas)

1. A catastrophe; a grave setback.
   • 1998, David Caute, Fatima's scarf, page 280:

     Our President is admitting that the war has been a nakba, a setback. 'I take full personal responsibility.' 'But not for long,' murmurs Mahmoud, in whose company I am watching this ultra-dramatic moment.

   • 2000, Arab American Voices, page 45:

     A second nakba happened after the 1967 Six Day War, when Israel captured Arab land that belonged to Jordan and Egypt; another 325,000 Palestinians left their homes.

   • 2010, Raimond Gaita, Gaza: Morality, Law & Politics (ISBN 1742580963), page 99:

     But for now, there is no prophet amongst the politicians, and the only prophecies to be heard are of nakbas and holocausts.

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /nak.ba/

Noun

nakba f ‎(plural nakbas)

1. catastrophe

Proper noun

nakba f

1. Nakba