• Happy International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People!

    by  • November 29, 2012 • Observances • 30 Comments

    An important day for Palestinians is made even more important with a historic vote.

    Happy International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People everyone.

    Every November 29 since 1977, the United Nations has observed the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People to encourage United Nations Member States to lend support and publicity to this observance and the wishes of the Palestinian People.

    In his message today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on everyone involved “to work together to translate solidarity into positive action for peace.”

    Palestinians have long fought for recognition as a Member State in the United Nations. The benefits of becoming one include participation in the International Criminal Court.

    People in the West Bank, Gaza strip, and east Jerusalem are hopeful today that the General Assembly will vote to elevate the Palestinians from the status of UN observer to non-member observer state. The upgrade in status is expected to occur, as most of the 193 Member States are sympathetic to the Palestinian fight for global recognition.

    One thing is for sure: today’s vote is an important milestone in the peace process given the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict, the change in the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape over the last few years, and the recent uptick in tensions and violence between the two groups.

    The ultimate goal is peace. The United States and Israel argue that the elevation in status will derail the peace process. Palestinian and other world leaders believe the reverse is true. Only time will tell.

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