Global Solidarity with Palestine’s Struggle
Global Solidarity with Palestine’s Struggle: For over seventy years, the people of occupied Palestine have fought relentlessly to reclaim their homeland, enduring countless brutal Israeli attacks meant to force them to abandon their rightful cause. The ongoing violence in Gaza is the latest phase of this long-standing campaign to break the Palestinian resolve. However, their unwavering determination, despite unimaginable suffering, has garnered worldwide support for their cause. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly designated November 29 as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, recognizing their fight for freedom.
This date marks the adoption of UN Resolution 181 (II) in 1947. The resolution led to the division of Mandatory Palestine. It contributed to the Nakba. However, it is significant that the UN has chosen this day to show solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Several reasons contribute to the widespread global support for Palestine.
At its core, the Palestinian struggle resonates with oppressed people everywhere. They see their fight for land and dignity mirrored in the Palestinian cause, facing a dominant, ruthless adversary. Many view Israel as the last colonial settler state, attempting to erase the indigenous population. The Palestinians, with limited resources, continue to resist a well-armed foe backed by powerful global economies. This shared sense of injustice drives people from diverse backgrounds—without any direct cultural, religious, or geographical ties to Palestine—to rally in support of Gaza and the West Bank. As Nelson Mandela famously stated, “Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.”
Solidarity with Palestine
In the Muslim world, including countries like Pakistan, religious faith strengthens the connection to Palestine. While some Muslim governments may hesitate to take an open stance, the broader Muslim community strongly supports the Palestinian cause. Additionally, there is growing concern over Israeli extremists targeting the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a sacred Islamic site, and the risk of turning the Palestinian struggle into a religious war. The world sees that the claim of “defending Israel” cannot justify the atrocities in Gaza, rightly condemning it as a genocidal campaign of ethnic cleansing. Though it is painful to witness the horrors endured by Gaza’s people, there is hope that their suffering will ultimately lead to a future where Palestinians of all faiths can return to their ancestral land and live in peace and freedom.
Published in Dawn, 29th November 2024
