New York, February 21 (RHC)-- On the anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X in 1965, Palestinians remember him not only as the fiery civil rights leader who challenged American racism but also as a powerful advocate for Palestinian rights, part of his unwavering commitment to justice and self-determination.

In 1964, a visit to a Palestinian refugee camp in Gaza deeply impacted Malcolm X.  Witnessing firsthand the displacement and suffering caused by the 1948 Nakba fostered a profound empathy.  He declared: "Our problem in America is a problem that is worldwide," drawing parallels between the Palestinian struggle and the Black American fight for equality.  Malcolm saw both as battles against oppression.

Malcolm X wasn't afraid to challenge the dominant narrative surrounding Zionism, the movement advocating for a Jewish homeland in Palestine at the expense of its native people, the Arab Palestinians. He questioned the historical justifications for land claims, asking: "Only a thousand years ago the Moors lived in Spain.  Did that give the Spaniards the right to go back and take Spain from the people who were living there?"  Malcolm X saw Zionism as a form of colonialism, displacing Palestinians from their land and denying their right to self-determination.

Though initially sceptical of a two-state solution, Malcolm X's views seemed to evolve later in life.  He began to see it as a potential stepping stone towards broader justice, emphasizing: "We need a free Palestine."  He advocated for a solution that respected the rights of both Palestinians and Israelis, recognising the complexities of the conflict.

Malcolm X's voice played a crucial role in raising awareness about the Palestinian situation within the Black American community and challenging dominant narratives. 

On Palestine, he said:

***  "The problem that exists in Palestine is not a religious problem... It is a question of colonialism. It is a question of a people who are being deprived of their homeland." (1964, speech in Cairo)  

***  "Zionist logic is the same logic that brought Hitler and the Nazis into power... It is the same logic that says that because my grandfather came from Ireland, I have the right to go back to Ireland and take over the whole country." (1965, "Zionist Logic" essay)

***  "We need a free Palestine... We don't need a divided Palestine. We need a whole Palestine." (1965, speech in Detroit)