The Yasser Arafat Museum marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People with a ceremony attended by political leaders, diplomats, academics, and public figures. The event, organized by the International Academic Campaign Against Israeli Occupation and Apartheid under the theme “The Palestinian State Is Coming Soon,” coincided with key national anniversaries, including the 21st anniversary of Yasser Arafat’s passing and the 37th anniversary of the Palestinian Declaration of Independence.

Dr. Ahmad Soboh, Chairman of the Yasser Arafat Foundation, highlighted the historic significance of November 29 for Palestinians, citing UN Resolution 181, the establishment of Palestinian student institutions, and Palestine’s 2012 UN recognition. He praised recent international recognitions of Palestine as a reflection of the Palestinian people’s resilience and ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Speaking on behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian National Council President Rawhi Fattouh stressed that solidarity with Palestine is a political and moral message reaffirming the persistence of the world’s last military occupation. He warned that Gaza is enduring a catastrophic assault and a  genocide that demands serious international intervention and insisted that any future arrangements for Gaza must be coordinated with the Palestinian leadership represented by the PLO.

Fattouh underscored national unity as essential for confronting occupation, reiterating that the PLO remains the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. He criticized attempts to bypass or replace the organization and called for renewed efforts to end internal division and hold national elections when possible.

Academic representatives emphasized the human meaning of solidarity and the resilience of Palestinian society, particularly in the field of education. The International Academic Campaign noted that more than
twelve academics have been martyred in Gaza and announced a two-year plan focusing on restoring Gaza’s devastated academic sector, calling on the Arab League to establish an Arab Day Against Apartheid ,unifying educational materials on the Palestinian cause, and seeking compensation for losses suffered by academics.

The ceremony concluded with the honoring of ambassadors from states that recently recognized Palestine, followed by the opening of a photo exhibition titled “Hirak.”