Marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People in Canberra.
The General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific in collaboration with the United Nation Information Center (UNIC) in Canberra and the Council of Arab Ambassadors held an event at Palace Electric Cinema in Canberra to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on the 27th of November 2015
Prior to the official ceremony a reception was held and attended by a number of Arab and International diplomatic representatives, civil society and solidarity movements with the Palestinian people, representatives of the Palestinian and Arab community, as well as public figures in Canberra. The ceremony also included a screening of the film "The Idol" which tells the story of Mohammed Assaf, a young Palestinian from Khan Yunis in Gaza who defied all odds to win the “Arab Idol’ singing contest in 2013.
The formal part of the celebration included speeches by the Director-General of the United Nations Information Centre, Mr. Christopher Woodthorb, H.E Mr Mohamed Mael-Ainin, Ambassador of Morocco, Dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors, Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Mr. Izzat Abdulhadi, and representatives of the Palestine Film Festival and Director Ms. Leila Sansour.
All speeches emphasized the international solidarity with the Palestinian people on this important day, especially the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to establish their independent State on their own land, with Jerusalem as its capital. They praised the accomplishments by the Palestinian leadership and the Palestinian people in particular including the increased number of States recognizing “Palestine”, which so far has exceeded 136 countries.
The Palestinian Ambassador also presented the Palestinian national strategy and approach to ending the Occupation, and establishing the State through the UN organizations.
He also pointed out the root causes for the current wave of violence, particularly the prolonged Occupation and the continuation of Israel's settlement activity and the violation of religious rights of the Palestinians on the “Haram Alshareef”.
The ceremony was attended by a number of supporters of the Palestinian cause which witnessed the Arab and international diplomatic corps becoming extremely emotional watching the film that depicted the life singing superstar Mohammad Assaf.
The International day of solidarity with the Palestinian people is celebrated annually by the General Delegation of Palestine in collaboration with the United Nation Information Centre (UNIC) in Canberra.