What is International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People?

The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People aims to focus attention on the plight of the Palestinian people, their right to self-determination, and the need for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli oppression of them for over 7 decades. It provides an opportunity for the international community to express solidarity and support for the realization of the Palestinian right to statehood.

On this day, various events, conferences, and activities are organized around the world to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the Palestinian people and to promote efforts for a just and lasting solution to the conflict.

History of International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People?

The history of solidarity with the Palestinian people is multifaceted and spans decades. It emerged as a response to the complex Israeli Oppression and Occupation. Various individuals, organizations, and countries have expressed support for the Palestinian cause, advocating for their rights, self-determination, and an end to the Israeli occupation.

Key moments include the establishment of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964, which sought to represent the Palestinian people on the international stage. The 1967 Six-Day War and the subsequent Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem intensified global attention and solidarity efforts.

Throughout the years, numerous solidarity movements, NGOs, and activists have worked to raise awareness about the Palestinian struggle. International events, such as the Oslo Accords in the 1990s and subsequent developments, further fueled discussions on the need for a just and lasting solution.

Many countries and organizations, particularly in the Arab world, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, have expressed solidarity through diplomatic support, humanitarian aid, and political advocacy. Additionally, grassroots movements, including the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, have gained traction globally as a form of nonviolent resistance against Israeli policies.

Solidarity with the Palestinian people continues to evolve, shaped by geopolitical dynamics, human rights concerns, and ongoing efforts to find a comprehensive and equitable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

However, one special day has been Referred by the UN since 1977. The General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (resolution 32/40 B). On that day, in 1947, the Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine (resolution 181 (II))

In resolution 60/37 of 1 December 2005, the Assembly requested the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Division for Palestinian Rights, as part of the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November, to continue to organize an annual exhibit on Palestinian rights or a cultural event in cooperation with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the UN.

The resolution on the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People also encourages Member States to continue to give the widest support and publicity to the observance of the Day of Solidarity.

The International Day of Solidarity traditionally provides an opportunity for the international community to focus its attention on the fact that the question of Palestine remains unresolved and that the Palestinian people have yet to attain their inalienable rights as defined by the General Assembly, namely, the right to self-determination without external interference, the right to national independence and sovereignty, and the right to return to their homes and property, from which they have been displaced.

Quotes

1. “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” – Nelson Mandela

2. “We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.” – Nelson Mandela

3. “The struggle for justice knows no boundaries.” – Desmond Tutu

4. “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” – Albert Einstein

5. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

6. “You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” – Malcolm X

7. “The question of Palestine is a moral test for the international community.” – Yasser Arafat

8. “Palestine is our unforgettable wound.” – Mahmoud Darwish