Israel Marks 70th Anniversary of Kafr Qasim Massacre

A march was held on Thursday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Kafr Qasim massacre, which occurred in 1956 and resulted in the deaths of 49 Arab citizens. The massacre took place on October 29, 1956, during the Tripartite Aggression against Egypt and under military rule imposed on Palestinians within Israel's pre-1967 borders. Israeli border police forces committed the killings, which targeted 49 Palestinians, including children and women, in one of the most prominent massacres experienced by Palestinians inside the "Green Line" territories. The authorities imposed a curfew on several Triangle villages, including Kafr Qasim, from 5 PM to 6 AM, citing potential border clashes. The commander of army forces in the region, Shadmi, and the battalion commander, Malinki, ordered the curfew to be enforced with force. The Mukhtar of Kafr Qasim, Wadih Ahmed Sarsour, was informed of the decision only 30 minutes before its implementation, insufficient time to alert residents working outside the village. At 5 PM, border police units stationed at the village entrances opened fire on returning residents unaware of the curfew, killing 49 Palestinians in a short period. Historical accounts state 43 were killed on the western side of the village, three to the north, and two inside, with other victims from different Arab towns. Among the dead were women and children, including five under ten years old, and 18 were injured. The victims constituted about 2.5% of Kafr Qasim's then population of under 2,000. The massacre also included Palestinians from Tayibe, Tira, and Baqa al-Gharbiyya. Following the massacre, Israeli authorities attempted to contain its repercussions, with details only emerging later due to information restrictions. Trials were held for some involved, resulting in reduced prison sentences. Shadmi, linked to the military orders, received a reprimand and a symbolic fine of one Israeli agora. Later accounts and documents revealed the massacre's connection to broader military plans, including "Plan Khald," which some historical narratives suggest aimed to intimidate Palestinians in the Triangle area into displacement. After the massacre, victims' bodies were collected and transported to a location near the police station in Rosh Ha'ayin before being returned to Kafr Qasim for burial two days later. Families faced difficulties identifying some bodies due to disfigurement. After the curfew ended, residents discovered the massacre's aftermath and marched to the Mukhtar's home, demanding that the events not be silenced. The Kafr Qasim massacre remains a significant event in Palestinian memory, associated with ongoing demands for acknowledgment of responsibility, commemoration of victims, and preservation of collective memory for future generations.