Zimbabwe joined the world in commemorating the Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, who have suffered one of the worst and lengthy occupations by Israel.
The date of 29 November is observed as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People since 1978. This date, which was chosen because of its meaning and significance to the Palestinian people, is based on the call by the United Nations General Assembly for an annual observance of the resolution on the partition of Palestine. What has become known as the Partition Plan or the Resolution 181 (II), intended to establish an Arab State and a Jewish State, and was adopted on 29 November 1947.
On that day in 1947, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 181 (11), which came to be known as the Partition resolution.
The resolution provided for the establishment in Palestine of a Jewish State and an Arab State, with Jerusalem as a corpus separatum under a special international regime.
Of the two states to be created under this resolution, only one Israel has so far come into being.
The day of solidarity with the Palestinian people traditionally provided an opportunity for the international community to focus its attention with on the fact that the question of Palestine is yet to be resolved and that the Palestinian people are yet to attain their inalienable rights as defined by the General Assembly, namely the right to self-determination without external interference and the right to independence and sovereignty and, the right to return to their homes and properties from where they were displaced.
Meanwhile the UN has named 2014 as the ‘Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
His Excellency Mr. Edward Kallon, the United Nations (UN) Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator delivered the United Nations Secretary-General’s message on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People at a colourful event held at the Embassy of Palestine in Harare.
The UN Secretary-General said the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People comes at a time of diminished hope for peace.
“I am deeply saddened by the growing number of Palestinian civilians who have lost their lives in the spiral of violence engulfing the occupied West Bank. Each casualty fuels fear and yet more violence. I urge all parties to take immediate steps to reduce tensions and break this deadly cycle.
“The long-standing drivers of conflict – including the ongoing occupation, settlement expansion, home demolitions, and evictions – heighten anger, despair, and hopelessness. Meanwhile, Gaza continues to endure debilitating closures and humanitarian crises. I reiterate my call on the parties to engage to end the closures of Gaza and improve the living conditions of all Palestinians. UNRWA remains a vital lifeline for Palestine refugees. I commend the donors for their support and urge all to step up and provide predictable and sufficient funding to enable UNRWA to fully deliver on its mandate. The United Nations’ position is clear: peace must advance – the occupation must end,” the UN Secretary-General said.
Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Tamer Almassri painted a gory picture of Israeli atrocities on his country. He alluded to a sad state of affairs in which the Jewish minority from Europe was aided to set up a state in Palestine after the Second World War, heralding Israeli occupation that has continued since then.
“The Jews had suffered from the Holocaust, we accommodated them but now they are subjugating the natives of Palestine after the Second World War where they established a new state. Palestine now has the highest number of refugees in the world and had one of the lowest literacy levels. Our people are fighting to protect Palestinian dignity.
Hon Kindness Paradza, the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister said Zimbabwe shares a history of oppression and colonialism with Palestine, hence the solidarity and unwavering friendship.
“Palestine and Zimbabwe enjoy cordial relations. Zimbabwe supports the 2 state solution. I witnessed pathetic apartheid by Isreal when I visited Palestine. The unjust treatment of Palestinians should be condemned. The government also condemns the killing of an Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by the Israeli army,” Hon Paradza said.
