International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

Held on 29th November every year

Palestine is a conventional name used, among others, to describe a geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands. The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is an ongoing dispute between Israel and the Palestinians. Although the conflict is wide-ranging, the key issues are border security, water rights, control of Jerusalem, land rights, and legalities concerning refugees. The violence resulting from the conflict has prompted other security and human rights concerns on both sides and internationally. Many attempts have been made to broker a two-state solution, which would entail the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside an independent Jewish state or next to the State of Israel (after Israel's establishment in 1948). The Palestinian people, who number more than 8 million, live primarily in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, including East Jerusalem, Israel, neighbouring Arab states and in refugee camps in the region. The Day reminds the international community of the fact that question of Palestine is still unresolved and it's people are yet to be provided their human rights as per the General Assembly.

History - On November 29, 1947, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine (resolution 181 (II)). 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 only one Israel has come into being. On December 2, 1977, it was recorded that the assembly called for the annual observance of November 29 as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (A/RES/32/40 B). On December 1, 2003, the assembly encouraged member states to continue to provide support and publicity to observe the day. So the day was observed on December 1 in 2003. The assembly also requested that the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Division for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat should continue to organize an annual exhibit on Palestinian rights or a cultural event with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations.

Events - Special meetings may be held to observe Solidarity Day in some UN offices, councils, government bodies and organizations that have a special interest in the issues encompassing the event. The day may also be publicized through newspapers, magazines, radio and television news, and online media. Some topics that may be publicized or discussed include the status and plight of Palestinian refugees, as well as general information on Palestinian culture and society.

Alternate Name - Palestine Day.

Holiday Status - It is not a public holiday.