al-bassa was completely destroyed by the israelis with the exception of a few houses, a church, and a muslim shrine. at least 60 of the christian villagers of al-bassa were taken by the haganah to mazra'a, where they remained for more than a year. altogether 81 residents of al-bassa became israeli citizens as internally displaced palestinians who lost their land rights and ended up in places like nazareth. the only day on which palestinians did not require a permit to travel during that period was israel's independence day. on this day, which palestinians call nakba day, internally displaced palestinians would visit their former villages. wakim wakim, an attorney from al-bassa and a leading member of the association for the defense of the rights of the internally displaced explains: ""the day when israel celebrates is the day we mourn"" (emphasis in original).