The year 1948 marks a catastrophic turning point for Palestinians — an event known as Al Nakba, “The Catastrophe.” More than 700,000 Palestinians were forcibly uprooted, their lands confiscated, and generations pushed into exile.
This mass displacement and destruction established the enduring tragedy of the Palestinian people.
To truly comprehend the ongoing conflict, one must confront the hidden crimes that define the Nakba of 1948. At Rajaeen, we commit to exposing the truth and ensuring the Nakba’s original meaning is understood: a systematic campaign of terror and dispossession that continues to shape Palestinian life today.
Paradise Built on Graves: The Tantura Massacre
On the beautiful coast between Haifa and Tel Aviv lies Dor Beach, a modern resort area that conceals a horrific secret. Beneath the parking lot of the Nahsholim resort lies one of the mass graves from the Tantura massacre.
On May 22, 1948, the peaceful fishing village of Tantura was attacked by the Alexandroni Brigade. This was not a battle — it was the brutal execution of the village’s male population.
Key facts about the Tantura crime, a defining chapter of the Nakba of 1948:
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The assault led to the execution of all males over thirteen.
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The bodies were buried in unmarked mass graves.
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The Israeli documentary Tantura, directed by Alon Schwarz, exposed horrifying testimonies — including one soldier’s admission:
“We put people in barrels and set them on fire.” -
Another soldier, Amitzor Cohen, smiled as he said:
“I was a murderer. I didn’t take prisoners.”
He did not know how many he killed, but laughed while explaining that he had a machine gun with 250 bullets, which he used to kill Palestinians.
Today, families sunbathe and park their cars above the remains of those murdered — a chilling example of the deliberate erasure of history. The full horror of the Nakba of 1948 is palpable in this single location.
The Terror Tactics: The Horrors of Deir Yassin
If Tantura reveals calculated destruction, the story of Deir Yassin exposes the sheer brutality fueling the ethnic cleansing during the Nakba of 1948.
On April 9, 1948, the community of Deir Yassin near Jerusalem was attacked by Zionist paramilitary groups — including members led by Menachem Begin, the future Israeli Prime Minister who would ironically go on to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Survivor testimonies recount “unspeakable atrocities,” including:
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Rape and torture
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Burning victims alive
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Mutilation of bodies
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Disembowelment of pregnant women
An estimated 250 to 300 Palestinians were slaughtered during the massacre, including 25 infants.
The terror unleashed in Deir Yassin played a strategic role: it was a psychological weapon designed to trigger mass flight throughout Palestine, shaping the violent character of the 1948 Nakba.
The Conspiracy of Silence: Suppressing the Nakba’s Original Meaning
What is most striking is that much of the evidence for these massacres comes from Israeli researchers and soldiers themselves — yet the official narrative continues to suppress the truth.
Those who challenge the state’s version of Al Nakba, such as researcher Teddy Katz, face legal threats and censorship. Laws like the 2011 “Nakba Law” exist solely to intimidate and silence public acknowledgment of Al Nakba and its devastating impact.
The Nakba’s original meaning goes far beyond a military defeat. It represents the forced erasure of Palestinian life, culture, and communal history.
During this period, over 500 villages were violently depopulated and destroyed, a systematic campaign essential to the establishment of the state of Israel.
The Truth of Al Nakba Palestine
The stories of Tantura and Deir Yassin are just two examples among more than 500 Palestinian villages that were depopulated, destroyed, or erased in 1948.
Remembering these truths is not about dwelling on the past — it is about acknowledging the foundation of a continuing reality. Standing with the truth ensures that the documented horrors of 1948 are never forgotten.
Watch the Full Episode on YouTube
This episode breaks down the hidden crimes of the Nakba, reveals suppressed evidence, and brings these stories back into public memory — where they belong.
Watch the episode now on YouTube
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