International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

What Is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People?

November 29 is the "International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People." It was established by a 1977 United Nations General Assembly resolution. The date marks the anniversary of November 29, 1947, when the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 181, calling for the partition of Palestine into a "Jewish state" and an "Arab state." This international observance was created to advocate for the rights and peace of the Palestinian people in light of that history.

Background to the Palestinian Issue

The region of Palestine has long been home to multiple peoples and religions living side by side. In the 20th century, the rise of Zionism — the movement to establish a Jewish state — culminated in the founding of Israel in 1948, an event that left many of the Arabs (Palestinians) then living in the region as refugees. This event, known as the "Nakba" (catastrophe), marks the root of the ongoing conflict at the heart of the Middle East.

The Current Situation in Palestine

• Gaza Strip: Home to about 2 million people in a densely populated area, where years of blockade and repeated military conflicts have led to an ongoing humanitarian crisis
• West Bank: Administered by the Palestinian Authority, though Israeli settlements continue to expand
• UN membership: Palestine is recognized as a UN observer state, but full membership has repeatedly been blocked by vetoes in the Security Council

Another Event on November 29

Palestine declared independence in November 1988. On November 29, 2012, exactly 65 years after the partition resolution, the UN General Assembly voted to upgrade Palestine's status from an observer entity to a non-member observer state.

Something to Think About on This Day

This day of solidarity offers an opportunity to look beyond the complex history and political positions involved, and to focus on the human rights and dignity of people affected by the conflict. Through media coverage and UN reports, it's worth reflecting on the significance of international humanitarian law and UN resolutions, and on the possibilities for a peaceful resolution.