The Nakba is not just a passing event in Palestinian history; it is a moment of birth for the Palestinian diaspora in all its details, with Kuwait being one of the most prominent stations in this diaspora. Shafiq Al-Ghabra, the late academic and Palestinian thinker, presents in his book "The Nakba and the Emergence of the Palestinian Diaspora in Kuwait" an in-depth reading that combines historical, social, and humanitarian analysis, attempting to understand how the Palestinian community in Kuwait formed and the impact of the Nakba on the social and economic identity of Palestinians.
Sections and Themes of the Book
The book consists of 10 chapters, starting with a theoretical view on the concepts of "uprooting and diaspora" and ending with a futuristic perspective on the re-production of the Palestinian diaspora. Below is a reading of the key themes of the book:
Chapter One: Uprooting and Diaspora - A Theoretical Introduction
The author opens the door for the reader with important theoretical concepts, highlighting the notion of "statelessness" which reflects the existential situation of Palestinians who transitioned from a state of belonging to their land to living in diaspora. Al-Ghabra discusses how social connections are formed in exile, noting that the Palestinian family, as a social and economic unit, played a significant role in rebuilding the Palestinian social fabric in new societies.
Chapter Two: 1948 – In the Beginning Was the Nakba
In this chapter, the author documents the events of the Nakba in 1948, which caused the uprooting of Palestinians from their land, focusing on the Deir Yassin massacre as a pivotal event that shook the conscience of Palestinians and deepened their sense of fear. The book examines the journey of forced displacement that left deep psychological scars in the Palestinian memory. This chapter reflects the scale of the tragedy and its impact on the Palestinian collective memory, illustrating how the Nakba drove Palestinians to seek shelter in neighboring Arab countries, including Kuwait.
Chapter Three: The Displaced Elite
Al-Ghabra documents in this chapter the arrival of the Palestinian elite in Kuwait, composed of teachers, engineers, doctors, and writers, who brought their expertise with them to Kuwait. This elite was not ordinary; rather, it formed the nucleus for establishing new Palestinian communities. In this context, Al-Ghabra points out the role of the Palestinian elite in developing Kuwait in terms of education, health, and media.
Chapter Four: Family Cohesion – Women and National Identity
This chapter highlights the role of the Palestinian family in the diaspora. Al-Ghabra explains that Palestinian families in Kuwait did not live in isolation from their homeland; they continued to support their relatives in occupied Palestine and refugee camps through regular financial remittances to aid education and living expenses. He also emphasizes the role of Palestinian women in preserving family identity and supporting family members in facing challenges.
Chapter Five: The Nakba of Farmers and the Diaspora
While the Palestinian elite had arrived in Kuwait first, Palestinian farmers followed, but under tougher conditions. Al-Ghabra explains how farmers transitioned from agricultural work to grueling manual labor in Kuwait, such as construction and metalworking. This chapter highlights the class contradiction between the elite and the farmers, but Al-Ghabra points out that this contradiction ultimately became a complementary factor contributing to building a cohesive Palestinian community in Kuwait, where the efforts of the educated elite combined with the steadfast experiences of the farmers.
Chapter Six: Family – A Transnational Entity
Al-Ghabra notes that the Palestinian family has become a transnational entity, with members of a single-family living in several countries, each individual carrying a different nationality. The author recounts touching stories of Palestinian families dispersed in Kuwait, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine, illustrating how these families succeeded in maintaining their ties across borders. Al-Ghabra discusses this issue from a sociological perspective, indicating that Palestinians developed a new concept of the extended family, which became a means of survival and economic and social support.
Chapter Seven: Family Networks – Social Dynamics and Survival
In this chapter, Al-Ghunaim focuses on Palestinian family networks and how they contributed to the survival of Palestinians as a cohesive entity. He notes that Palestinians in Kuwait, amidst ongoing displacement, began to form support funds specific to each Palestinian village or town. These funds enabled Palestinians to financially and educationally support one another, thereby enhancing the concept of solidarity social economy, which is an economic model based on cooperation among people from the same country in exile.
Chapter Eight: Economic and Social Coping Strategies
Al-Ghunaim highlights the economic and social adaptation mechanisms employed by Palestinian families to survive in Kuwait. He points out that with increasing economic pressures, Palestinians in Kuwait developed cooperative financial funds aimed at supporting families from Palestinian villages. These funds were a model of Palestinian creativity in the face of exile economy, allowing Palestinians to establish an independent economic network within Kuwait.
Chapter Nine: The Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait and Missed Opportunities
In this chapter, Al-Ghunaim discusses the impact of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on Palestinians, as they faced accusations of bias toward Saddam Hussein. He recounts how Palestinians fell victim to misunderstanding, as regional political parties sought to exploit this situation against them. Al-Ghunaim reviews the stance of the Palestinian community in Kuwait, which initially preferred neutrality, but foreign political propaganda cast shadows on their relationship with Kuwaitis after the invasion.
Chapter Ten: Reproducing the Palestinian Diaspora and the Future
Al-Ghunaim concludes his book with a comprehensive review of Palestinian Kuwaiti relations after the liberation of Kuwait. He indicates that despite tensions, Palestinians and Kuwaitis were able to rebuild trust, with Palestinian and Kuwaiti figures contributing to calming the situation, and humanitarian and social cooperation was resumed. Al-Ghunaim praises the efforts of Kuwaitis and Palestinians in alleviating the crisis, pointing out that the future requires building new bridges between peoples instead of fueling conflicts.
Analytical Perspective
The book “The Nakba and the Emergence of the Palestinian Diaspora in Kuwait” serves as an important reference for understanding the Palestinian experience in Kuwait. It provides a comprehensive and integrated vision that combines historical, social, and psychological analysis. In each chapter, the author presents touching human stories, relying on social science methodologies, which gives the reader a deep insight into the challenges faced by Palestinians in Kuwait and how they successfully overcame them.
The book is not merely a narrative of the history of the Palestinian diaspora, but a forward-looking vision aimed at seeking common ground among Arab peoples and building relationships based on justice and mutual respect.
Al-Ghunaim emphasizes in his book that the Nakba is not an end, but a beginning of the Palestinian diaspora experience. Amid pain and displacement, Palestinians in Kuwait successfully reshaped their identity, benefiting from family values, adaptability, and the search for new opportunities in foreign environments. The story of Palestinians in Kuwait is not just a story of suffering but a story of success and resilience that highlights the meanings of struggle and dignity.
