Solidarity with the People of Palestine
28 November 2006
The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is observed
by the United Nations on 29 November each year.
The date of 29 November was chosen because of its meaning and significance
to the Palestinian people. On that day in 1947, the General Assembly adopted
resolution 181(II), which came to be known as the Partition Resolution. That
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 Palestinian people, who now number more than 8 million, live primarily
in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, including East
Jerusalem, part of which is now administered by the Palestinian Authority; in
Israel; in neighbouring Arab States and in refugee camps in the region.
The International Day of Solidarity has traditionally provided an
opportunity for the international community to focus its attention on the fact
that the question of Palestine is still 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 had been displaced.
In response to the call of the United Nations, various activities are
undertaken annually by governments, civil society, academic institutions and
others in observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the
Palestinian people. These activities include the issuance of special messages
of solidarity with the Palestinian people, the organisation of meetings, the
dissemination of publications and other information material and the screening
of films. Meetings in observance of the International Day of Solidarity with
the Palestinian people are also held at the United Nations Offices at Geneva
and Vienna.
The latest and other background information on the question of Palestine can
be obtained from the UN website (the Question of Palestine under Peace and
Security) and through UN Information System on the Question of Palestine
(UNISPAL) (http://domino.un.org/unispal.nsf).
Media is invited to the ceremony to mark the International Day of Solidarity
with the Palestinian people as follows (Please present press cards):
Date: Wednesday, 29 November 2006
Time: 18h30 for 19h00
Venue: Musaion Hall University of Pretoria, Lynwood Road, Pretoria
Order of Proceedings:
International Day of Solidarity with the people of Palestine
Wednesday, 29 November 2006, University of Pretoria, 19h00 to 20h00
1. National Anthems
Palestinian national anthem
South African national anthem
South African Police Band
2. Welcome
3. Message from the President of the Republic of South Africa, President Thabo
Mbeki, (Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Derek Hanekom)
4. Message from Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, (Ms
Margaret Novicki, Director of United Nations Information Centre)
5. Video
6. Message from the President of the Palestine National Authority, Mahmoud
Abbas, (Mr Jibril Rajoub National Security Advisor to President Abbas)
7. Musical Item
8. Vote of thanks: Palestinian Ambassador Ali Halimeh
9. Cocktail Reception
Enquiries/RSVP:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
28 November 2006
