The Nakba and Oral History

This article takes account of the disastrous effects for the Palestinian people of the establishment of Israel in Palestine, scattering them geographically, and transforming them into refugees, exiles, or 2ndclass Israeli citizens. It further argues that this national catastrophe has not been adequately recorded as community and individual experience. The potential of oral history for historicising marginal experience is discussed, along with its neglect by Palestinian cultural institutions. Finally, it covers those individual and NGO researchers who have partially filled the gap in certain regions of the shatat.