In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Palestinians living in Greece are expressing deep concern over what they perceive as a significant increase in forced displacement. Many fear that this could be the largest wave of displacement they have ever witnessed in their lifetimes.
Salma Shawwa, a diaspora Palestinian, reflects on Israel’s recent order for 1.5 million Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip to move south. She questions the solution proposed by Israel, wondering if this means that Gaza will eventually cease to exist, followed by further expansion into the West Bank and Jerusalem. Israel claims that the evacuation was necessary to minimize civilian casualties as it launched a ground war against Hamas in response to attacks on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people. However, Israel’s subsequent bombing of previously declared safe areas in the south has raised doubts among Palestinians about the possibility of returning to their homes.
Shawwa, whose family has a long history of serving as mayors in Gaza, arrived in Athens in 2000 and now works for the Athens Bar Association. She is joined by approximately 13,000 Palestinians living in Greece, some of whom have been there since their families were displaced during the Nakba in 1948. The Nakba refers to the period between 1947 and 1949 when Zionist paramilitaries forcibly removed 750,000 Palestinians from their homes, resulting in the death of around 15,000 Palestinians.
Razan Simaan, another Palestinian living in Greece, emphasizes that the recent attack by Hamas was not surprising to Palestinians, as they have long experienced injustice and occupation. Simaan argues that Hamas is a direct outcome of Israel’s occupation, and therefore, blaming the organization alone is misguided. Latif Darwish, a professor of economics and crisis management, echoes this sentiment, stating that Palestinians have the right to use whatever means necessary to achieve freedom from occupation.
While Israel’s Western allies, including the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union, label Hamas as a “terrorist organization,” many Palestinians feel that Israel’s actions are driven by a desire to eliminate Gaza and its people. Ahmed Hassan, the president of the Palestinian Association, suggests that the Israeli government may have welcomed the recent attack as an excuse to invade Gaza. Reports of Egyptian intelligence tipping off the Israelis further support this theory.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties, Palestinians in Greece still hold onto hope for Palestinian self-determination and peace with Israel. Shawwa emphasizes that Palestinians do not harbor hatred towards Israelis and even refer to them as “cousins” due to the similarities between the two peoples. She recalls the democratic debates and moments of hope during the time of the Oslo Accords, which promised eventual Palestinian statehood. However, she believes that the two-state solution is now dead and that a Palestinian-Jordanian confederation or a unified state encompassing the West Bank and Gaza are unlikely possibilities.
US President Joe Biden has expressed his commitment to a two-state solution, urging for Gaza and the West Bank to be reunited under a single governance structure. However, Palestinians in Greece feel that the main problem lies in the failure to effectively communicate the desire for peace to Israel.
In conclusion, Palestinians living in Greece are deeply concerned about the forced displacement they are witnessing amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. They question the effectiveness of Israel’s evacuation orders and express doubts about the possibility of returning to their homes. While some Palestinians believe that Hamas’ recent attack was a response to ongoing occupation and injustice, others emphasize the need for peace as a unifying factor. The article highlights the challenges and uncertainties faced by Palestinians in their pursuit of self-determination and peace with Israel.
