In the area of a grove and a pasture, between Elyakim Junction and Daliyat al-Carmel, on the remains of the village Umm a-Zinat, the Association for the Defense of the Rights of the Internally Displaced chose to conduct the sixth Procession of Return, on Nakba Day. A crowd of thousands of people from different organizations and movements took part in the assembly, Arabs and Jews, and of course the families of the displaced people of Umm a-Zinat. Palestinian flags and black flags were waved in the wind as a clear and decisive statement in the face of the Independence Day celebrations across other Jewish areas of the country. A representative of ADRID, a representative of the displaced people of Umm a-Zinat, representatives from Jewish organizations and a representative of the Palestinian-Jewish organizations, all addressed the assembly.

The Fahmawi family of Daliyat al-Carmel is one of the displaced families from Umm a-Zinat. Descendants of the family who took part in the Procession of Return said that on the day of the expulsion Jewish soldiers entered the village and threatened to kill those who did not leave. Seventeen people were killed in the village. The remainder of the residents were scattered to Daliyat al-Carmel, Umm al-Fahm, Haifa, and Syria. In Daliyat al-Carmel they were warmly welcomed and from the outset they were treated like locals. They say that they come from Daliyat al-Carmel every Saturday to remember, to long, to hope, and that they will never forget.

Fatma Fahmawi was six years old at the time of the expulsion. She primarily remembers her house and the school. She said that on the morning of May 15, 1948, soldiers entered and started to shoot. Her family and other families fled to Ijzim and Daliyat al-Carmel. After a few days buses were sent to Daliyat al-Carmel and they were offered to go to Jordan. Most refused. Fatma describes all this with sadness because due to the soldiers' threats people left without their property – only with the clothes they were wearing. All the property that remained in the village was looted. Three of the residents of Umm a-Zinat who tried to return after a few days to collect their belongings were shot and killed by the soldiers. The bones of the three were found by the people of the village years later, abandoned beside rocks and stones. All the descendants of the Fahmawi family, although they are satisfied with life in Daliyat al-Carmel, demand the right to return to the place they yearn for, Umm a-Zinat.

The Umm a-Zinat committee of displaced residents and Zochrot posted signs in three places in the village: The village center, the school, and the cemetery. 



Umm a-Zinnat March of Return 2003 (4)



Umm a-Zinnat March of Return 2003 (7)



Umm a-Zinnat March of Return 2003 (5)



Umm a-Zinnat March of Return 2003 (2)



Umm a-Zinnat March of Return 2003 (6)



Umm a-Zinnat March of Return 2003 (1)