The atmosphere during the seminar titled “78 Years of the Nakba and the Future of Palestine from the Perspective of International Law Post Board of Peace” held at HB Jassin Hall, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, on Sunday, May 17, 2026. (Photo: AWG Documentation)
Jakarta — The organization dedicated to the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinian independence, Aqsa Working Group (AWG), held a seminar titled “78 Years of the Nakba and the Future of Palestine from the Perspective of International Law Post Board of Peace” on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at HB Jassin Hall, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta.
Chairperson of the seminar committee, Khairunnisa, S.Sos., stated on Sunday (17/5) in Jakarta that the seminar was organized to preserve the collective memory of a humanitarian tragedy that continues to unfold in Palestine to this day.
“This seminar is held so that we do not forget the history of the Nakba humanitarian tragedy. We are not only discussing the past, but also wounds that are still bleeding today,” she said.
The Nakba itself refers to the dark historical events of May 15, 1948, marking the beginning of the mass expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes by Zionist Israel, one day after the occupying entity illegally declared the establishment of the state of “Israel” on Palestinian land. Tens of thousands lost their lives as martyrs in the tragedy, while around 750,000 others became refugees.
According to Khairunnisa, the bloody Nakba tragedy is not merely a historical event from 1948, but an ongoing catastrophe manifested today through various forms of modern colonialism.
“We are organizing this seminar to emphasize that the Nakba has not truly ended. Linking the events of 1948 with modern policies discussed in Davos 2026 strengthens the narrative that the Nakba continues to live on in every policy that ignores humanitarian values,” she explained.
Khairunnisa also stressed the importance of upholding the supremacy of international law so that it is not overshadowed by global political interests.
“This seminar is our commitment to ensuring that international law must not be marginalized by political interests,” she asserted.
The seminar featured diplomats, academics, humanitarian activists, and public figures, including Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia Abdulfattah AK Al-Sattari; Senior Advisor of Aqsa Working Group, Imaam Yakhsyallah Mansur; Global Sumud Flotilla activist Wanda Hamidah; and Director for the Middle East Affairs at Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahrul Tsani Fathurrahman.
On the same occasion, Chairman of the AWG Presidium, M Anshorullah, stated that the commemoration of the Nakba should serve as a reminder to the international community that colonialism and human rights violations in Palestine are still ongoing.
“The commemoration of the Nakba is not only to remember the tragic events of 1948, but also to remind the world that occupation, the displacement of Palestinians, and human rights violations are still occurring today. The international community should not allow colonialism and genocide in Palestine to become normalized,” he said.
The AWG Presidium Chairman also emphasized that Indonesia’s support for Palestinian independence is a constitutional mandate and part of the country’s commitment to universal humanitarian values.
“Under the constitution, Indonesia has a mandate to reject all forms of colonialism around the world. Therefore, support for Palestine must continue as part of the struggle for independence, justice, and the right of the Palestinian people to live freely on their own land,” he stated.
He added that the Nakba is not merely a historical record, but an ongoing humanitarian tragedy whose impacts continue to be felt through occupation, blockades, civilian displacement, destruction of public facilities, and various violations of international law occurring in Palestine, particularly in Gaza and at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
It was also stated that after 78 years, Zionist occupation in Palestine continues, while international legal instruments have failed to stop military aggression, genocide, and blockades imposed by Zionist forces.
Meanwhile, the Board of Peace (BoP), which former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed would become a peaceful solution for Palestine, has yet to prove effective. Indonesia’s participation in the BoP has reportedly placed the country’s diplomacy in a difficult position regarding support for Palestinian independence. Indonesia is perceived as no longer speaking as firmly as mandated by the constitution, which states that colonialism must be abolished worldwide.
