New york: Each year on November 29, the United Nations observes the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, coinciding with the anniversary of the General Assembly's 1947 adoption of Partition Resolution 181. The day serves as a poignant reminder of the Palestinian people's rights to freedom and independence.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the significance of this day has grown over the past two years due to the dire conditions in the Gaza Strip following the war initiated by the Israeli occupation army on October 7, 2023. This conflict has resulted in over 160,000 casualties, including women and children, and has left more than 10,000 individuals missing. The destruction and famine have created one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises.
In response to these events, numerous demonstrations, sit-ins, and solidarity gatherings have been organized in various cities worldwide. These acts of protest and support aim to condemn the violence and raise awareness about the situation in Palestine.
International efforts have also emerged through legal actions against the occupation at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. There have been diplomatic moves, including the severing of ties with the occupation system and recognitions of the State of Palestine. Notably, the ICC has issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant.
On this day, solidarity movements, political committees, and Palestinian embassies organize cultural activities, political festivals, and mass gatherings. The United Nations has called on governments and civil society worldwide to participate in events such as issuing solidarity messages, holding meetings, distributing media materials, and screening films.
At the UN Headquarters in New York, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People hosts a special session. The UN Division for Palestinian Rights issues a yearly bulletin of statements and messages, organizes cultural programs, and collaborates with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine for exhibitions and film screenings.
The International Day of Solidarity serves to remind the world that the Palestinian question remains unresolved despite decades of international resolutions. The Palestinian people continue to seek their rights to self-determination, the establishment of a sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the return of refugees to their homes.
Significant milestones include Palestine's status as a non-member observer state at the UN since November 29, 2012, and the raising of the Palestinian flag at UN headquarters and offices worldwide on September 30, 2015.
