1/16 ๐งต
Yes, Abby, it is the Apartheid, you just can't see it.
Unlike the 2nd part of this "brilliant" Hasbara skit, which was filmed on the campus of Tel Aviv University, built on the ruins of Palestinian village Sheikh Muwanis, uprooted in 1948, the 1st part takes us to Jaffa.
Yes, Abby, it is the Apartheid, you just can't see it.
Unlike the 2nd part of this "brilliant" Hasbara skit, which was filmed on the campus of Tel Aviv University, built on the ruins of Palestinian village Sheikh Muwanis, uprooted in 1948, the 1st part takes us to Jaffa.
2/16
Abby Nathan, Canadian TikToker who moved to Tel Aviv recently, and her friend, tell us they are "in the heart of Tel Aviv". Well, they are not. The video is filmed in Jaffa (Yafa in Arabic) a formerly Palestinian-Arab city, now mixed, which was annexed to Tel Aviv in 1949.
Abby Nathan, Canadian TikToker who moved to Tel Aviv recently, and her friend, tell us they are "in the heart of Tel Aviv". Well, they are not. The video is filmed in Jaffa (Yafa in Arabic) a formerly Palestinian-Arab city, now mixed, which was annexed to Tel Aviv in 1949.
3/16
Before 48, Jaffa was an independent city for 1000s of years & was one of the most important Palestinian cities. In early 20th century Tel Aviv was built next to it. According to UN's partition plan of 47, it was supposed to be a Palestinian enclave inside the Jewish state.
Before 48, Jaffa was an independent city for 1000s of years & was one of the most important Palestinian cities. In early 20th century Tel Aviv was built next to it. According to UN's partition plan of 47, it was supposed to be a Palestinian enclave inside the Jewish state.
4/16
Until the 1948 war, the Nakba, about 70-80k Palestinian Arabs lived in Jaffa, with a Jewish minority amongst them, mostly in neighborhoods bordering Tel Aviv. Since the beginning of the 1948 war there have been mutual clashes around the inter-city border.
Until the 1948 war, the Nakba, about 70-80k Palestinian Arabs lived in Jaffa, with a Jewish minority amongst them, mostly in neighborhoods bordering Tel Aviv. Since the beginning of the 1948 war there have been mutual clashes around the inter-city border.
5/16
Tel Aviv was the most important stronghold of Zionist militias, and in April & May of 48 Jaffa was occupied after a series of attacks by Irgun and Haganah. Many Palestinian inhabitants fled during the fighting, hoping to return after the war, others were forcibly expelled.
Tel Aviv was the most important stronghold of Zionist militias, and in April & May of 48 Jaffa was occupied after a series of attacks by Irgun and Haganah. Many Palestinian inhabitants fled during the fighting, hoping to return after the war, others were forcibly expelled.
6/16
Jaffa surrendered on May 13, a day before Israel's Declaration of Independence. By that time, only about 4k Palestinians were still in the city. They were rounded up and taken to Ajami ghetto - a neighborhood turned into an actual ghetto, complete with barbed wire fences.
Jaffa surrendered on May 13, a day before Israel's Declaration of Independence. By that time, only about 4k Palestinians were still in the city. They were rounded up and taken to Ajami ghetto - a neighborhood turned into an actual ghetto, complete with barbed wire fences.
7/16
In the following weeks, chaos ensued. Jewish militants and civilians went on a rampage in the almost deserted city - they looted, robbed, destroyed, raped and murdered. Afterwards, almost all the Arab-owned property in Jaffa was expropriated by the new Jewish state.
In the following weeks, chaos ensued. Jewish militants and civilians went on a rampage in the almost deserted city - they looted, robbed, destroyed, raped and murdered. Afterwards, almost all the Arab-owned property in Jaffa was expropriated by the new Jewish state.
8/16
To prevent Arabs from trying to return to their homes, the state quickly inhabited the empty houses with Jewish immigrants fresh off the boat. The old city of Jaffa, which was partially destroyed by the British during the 36-39 revolt, was almost completely demolished.
To prevent Arabs from trying to return to their homes, the state quickly inhabited the empty houses with Jewish immigrants fresh off the boat. The old city of Jaffa, which was partially destroyed by the British during the 36-39 revolt, was almost completely demolished.
9/16
Most of Old Jaffa is now a hill. A mound made from the huge amount of wreckage left.
A similar act was done where the sea-side neighborhood of Manshiya used to be. The entire neighborhood was razed, the rubble was pushed towards the sea, and a park was built on top of it.
Most of Old Jaffa is now a hill. A mound made from the huge amount of wreckage left.
A similar act was done where the sea-side neighborhood of Manshiya used to be. The entire neighborhood was razed, the rubble was pushed towards the sea, and a park was built on top of it.
10/16
The Arab names of streets were changed into Hebrew ones. Boustrous St., for example, was changed to Raziel St., named after David Raziel, an Irgun leader who was personally responsible for the murder of 100s of Palestinian civilians in terror attacks in the late 1930's.
The Arab names of streets were changed into Hebrew ones. Boustrous St., for example, was changed to Raziel St., named after David Raziel, an Irgun leader who was personally responsible for the murder of 100s of Palestinian civilians in terror attacks in the late 1930's.
11/16
All satellite villages and neighborhoods of Jaffa were also completely razed and depopulated. Some of South Tel Aviv's neighborhoods were built in their places.
Abu Kabir is now a park, Saknet Hammad is now part of Givat Herzl, Tel al-Rish is now Tel Giborim neighborhood.
All satellite villages and neighborhoods of Jaffa were also completely razed and depopulated. Some of South Tel Aviv's neighborhoods were built in their places.
Abu Kabir is now a park, Saknet Hammad is now part of Givat Herzl, Tel al-Rish is now Tel Giborim neighborhood.
12/16
Jaffa was always famous for its delicious oranges, which were grown in many orchards around the city. Oranges became a national Palestinian symbol.
After 1948, Israel destroyed most of the orchards, but cynically started using the brand "Jaffa Orange" as an Israeli brand.
Jaffa was always famous for its delicious oranges, which were grown in many orchards around the city. Oranges became a national Palestinian symbol.
After 1948, Israel destroyed most of the orchards, but cynically started using the brand "Jaffa Orange" as an Israeli brand.
13/16
Like all Palestinian citizens of Israel, Jaffa's Arabs have been facing a systematic legal and societal prejudice against them since the formation of Israel. The number of Palestinians living in Jaffa nowadays is around 20k, about a quarter of their pre-1948 population.
Like all Palestinian citizens of Israel, Jaffa's Arabs have been facing a systematic legal and societal prejudice against them since the formation of Israel. The number of Palestinians living in Jaffa nowadays is around 20k, about a quarter of their pre-1948 population.
14/16
Even nowadays, Jaffa's Palestinians still face attempts to dispossess them and ethnically cleanse the city. Gentrification and the introduction of extreme religious Zionist settler groups into Jaffa, who wish to judaize the city, are a constant threat on Yafa's Arabs.
Even nowadays, Jaffa's Palestinians still face attempts to dispossess them and ethnically cleanse the city. Gentrification and the introduction of extreme religious Zionist settler groups into Jaffa, who wish to judaize the city, are a constant threat on Yafa's Arabs.
15/16
Even Jaffa's dead are not safe in the Jewish state. Couple of years ago an ancient Muslim cemetery was destroyed to build a homeless shelter in its place. There's only one active Muslim cemetery left in the vicinity of Jaffa, "Tasu", and authorities are trying to close it.
Even Jaffa's dead are not safe in the Jewish state. Couple of years ago an ancient Muslim cemetery was destroyed to build a homeless shelter in its place. There's only one active Muslim cemetery left in the vicinity of Jaffa, "Tasu", and authorities are trying to close it.
16/16
Abby & her friend could've educated themselves about Jaffa before making their propaganda video, but like most Zionists, they chose to stay ignorant. To achieve justice and equality, we must fight ignorance, because knowledge of the past is key to understanding the present.
Abby & her friend could've educated themselves about Jaffa before making their propaganda video, but like most Zionists, they chose to stay ignorant. To achieve justice and equality, we must fight ignorance, because knowledge of the past is key to understanding the present.
One more thing I forgot to add: some of Jaffa's refugees ended up in the Gaza Strip. I wonder how many Nakba survivors were already murdered in Israel's current onslaught, in the genocide of Gaza.
In the photos:
1. An extremely cynical Israeli ad from 1960
2. Excerpt from the 1947 Partition Plan map
3. Irgun militants training near the border between Jaffa & Tel Aviv, 1948
4. Palestinian refugees leaving Jaffa, 1948
5. Ajami ghetto, 1948
1. An extremely cynical Israeli ad from 1960
2. Excerpt from the 1947 Partition Plan map
3. Irgun militants training near the border between Jaffa & Tel Aviv, 1948
4. Palestinian refugees leaving Jaffa, 1948
5. Ajami ghetto, 1948
6. Jewish soldier & civilian in Jaffa after its occupation. Photo by Benno Rothenberg, 1948
7. Kids, most likely Jewish, playing among the ruins of Old Jaffa. Photo by Herbert Sonnenfeld, 1948
8. Maps of old Jaffa & Manshiya, 1940's & 2025
9. Boustrous St. in Jaffa after the war
7. Kids, most likely Jewish, playing among the ruins of Old Jaffa. Photo by Herbert Sonnenfeld, 1948
8. Maps of old Jaffa & Manshiya, 1940's & 2025
9. Boustrous St. in Jaffa after the war
10. Maps of Saknet Hammad, Saknat Abu Kabir & Saknat al-Araina, 1940's & 2024
11. An old ad for Jaffa Oranges
12. Population stats before & after the Nakba (from Wikipedia
13. "Jaffa is not for sale", a demonstration in Jaffa in 2022 (source: al-Ghad)
11. An old ad for Jaffa Oranges
12. Population stats before & after the Nakba (from Wikipedia
13. "Jaffa is not for sale", a demonstration in Jaffa in 2022 (source: al-Ghad)
14. Tasu cemetery. Photo by me, 2020
15. Jaffa in 1900
15. Jaffa in 1900
So Abby from Montreal can move to Tel Aviv whenever she likes, but most Palestinian refugees from Jaffa can't even visit it. So, yeah, it's the Apartheid.
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