On Wednesday, August 31, 2022, Yasser Arafat Foundation commemorated at AL-Muntada Hall the birthday anniversary of the great national leader Salah Khalaf (Abu Iyad), one of the founders and leaders of "FATH" movement. 

After playing the Palestinian national anthem, the host, Mahmoud Abu Al-Haijaa, welcomed the guests and asked them to stand up to observe a minute of silence during which they recited Al-Fatiha for the soul of the martyr President Yasser Arafat and his companion, the leader Salah Khalaf, and all the martyrs of Palestine.

Afterward, the foundation screened a film it produced "A Palestinian with an Identity" that views the biography and trajectory of the leader Abu Iyad and his contribution to the Palestinian national work and Palestinian revolution since being launched until his martyrdom.

Dr. Ahmed Sobh, Director General of the Yasser Arafat Foundation, explained that this event is held in the course of a program entitled  "Inside the National Memory". This program which is implemented by the Foundation aims at shedding light on the companions of the late President Yasser Arafat who are considered to be the symbols, leaders, and founders of the revolution.  

Dr. Sobh explained that the goal of this program is to convey a message to the younger generations to be proud of the revolution and the sacrifices of its martyred leaders by spreading hope and by continuing on the path of resistance until the liberation of Palestine.

Dr. Sobh presented an overview of some of the humane aspects of Abu Iyad's life, saying: "When we researched the life of the leader Salah Khalaf, we found many family messages which he sent to his wife and children, all of which stressed the love of Palestine and how he lived a life devoted to the Palestinian revolution.

On his part, Lieutenant-General Jibril Rajoub, Secretary  General of the Central Committee of  "FATH" movement, said in this memorial: " The Palestinian revolution is similar to an equilateral triangle by which Abu Iyad asserted the concept of diplomacy, Abu Jihad endorsed the idea of revolutionary action while Abu Ammar, maintained the independent Palestinian decision and the continuity of the revolution until it achieves freedom. He added that this triangle is homogeneous and had awareness. It leads the Palestinian revolution on the basis of clear national agendas.

Rajoub expressed gratitude to the Yasser Arafat Foundation for its efforts in preserving the legacy of Yasser Arafat and his companions, noting that the Foundation, through this program provides hope and vision for these generations, as well as builds a national understanding to cross the local phase logically.

He added, that in so doing, the Foundation is illuminating the path for the current generation by restoring the national legacy and by capitalizing on the experience of our leaders without glorifying some persons. El Rajoub stressed that it is not possible to view "FATH" movement exclusively in terms of principles and theories without talking as well about its symbols and leaders. He concluded by saying that Abu Iyad was a voice to be heard by being at the center of the entire Palestinian and international consensus. Moreover, Abu Iyad gave his people a  spark of hope as he was a man of vision with a phenomenal ability to foresee the future.  

In a recorded audiovisual speech, Muneer Khalaf, the youngest son of Abu Iyad started on behalf of his family by thanking Yasser Arafat Foundation for commemorating the birth of the great leaders, including his father Salah Khalaf.

Khalaf Junior maintained that he keeps instances of memories of his father’s life including the values which he instilled in our hearts and souls.  His will and whatever he offered are very modest when compared with what the heroes on the battlefield have done to alert the world to the just cause of Palestine. He had a faith and solid belief in acting in all directions towards a democratic state that rejects occupation.
Mounir recalled that during the war in 1982 in Lebanon his father went to the radio station and delivered a message to the resistance fighters to boost their spirits by telling them that seeking martyrdom offers a dignified life.

At the end of his speech, Munir said: "My father's greatest dream was a small house on the Jaffa beach."
Yahya Ykhalaf, a member of the board of directors of the Yasser Arafat Foundation, said, that  Abu Iyad enriched the Palestinian revolution for more than two and a half decades with an enlightened thought that carries the concern of the Palestinian cause.

And he added that Abu Iyad formed with comrades trained by "FATH" movement a national revolutionary thought that reaches for liberation. Ykhalaf described Abu Iyad as a brave fighter, an outstanding leader, and a responsible thinker who belongs to the Palestinian national movement, a symbol of patriotism and unity, and a companion of Yasser Arafat.

Members of the Central Committee of "FATH" movement, the Revolutionary Council, leaders of the national work factions, and the public participated in the commemoration.
There was also a photo exhibition showing the most important landmarks in the life of Salah Khalaf "Abu Iyad".