Palestinians have right to self-determination

The question of Palestine remains one of the most preoccupying international issues and will continue to command the attention of the international community until it is fully resolved. The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, observed annually on 29 November, serves as a poignant reminder of the duty of the international community to support the struggle of the Palestinian people for self-determination.

Tanzanians, like the rest of the world’s peoples, must understand the importance of the date of 29 November, which has meant a lot to the people of Palestine. It was on that day in 1947, that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Partition Resolution for the establishment in Palestine of a “Jewish State” and an “Arab State.”

The Partition Plan also envisaged giving Jerusalem a so-called Corpus separatum (separated body) under international regime taking into account its shared religious importance. Jerusalem has since been a factor in the Question of Palestine, including issues related to borders between Palestine and Israel and the right of return of the Palestinian refugees.

As it is, only one of the two States meant to be created under the Partition Plan for Palestine, Israel, has so far come into being. Similarly, the idea of a separate entity for Jerusalem has gone no farther than the controversial thinking that it should be the capital of both Israel and Palestine. Today, the more than 8 million Palestinians live mostly in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israeli since 1967, including East Jerusalem, part of which is now administered by the Palestinian Authority - in Israel; in neighbouring Arab States; and in refugee camps in the region.

Question of Palestine

On this Day of Solidarity, therefore, the international community must remain concerned about the still unresolved Question of Palestine. The Palestinian people are still engaged in the struggle for their inalienable rights - the right to unfettered self-determination, the right to national independence and sovereignty; as well as the right to return to their homes and property from which they had been displaced.

More recently, some analysts have blamed the delay in resolving the Question of Palestine on attempts by Israel to justify its control over Palestine as strictly security, which calls for military solutions rather than accenting political solutions. And that in response the Palestinians have only done whatever it takes to try to stop the military occupation and forced settlements on their territory; the illegal killings and imprisonment; and military siege and blockades.

The international community and people the world over, must encourage all the parties to the Palestinian Question to return to the negotiation process on the basis of the many unimplemented UN resolutions and as brokered by the major players, including those within the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Tanzania, always a fervent supporter of causes such as that of the struggle for the liberation of Palestine, must never lower its guard no matter what interests – diplomatic or other. True circumstances do tend to dictate policy directions, but we would strongly suggest that Tanzania perseveres in the long established moral path of championing all causes that need international solidarity. Let us go back to the great days of mobilizing the people, institutions, civil society to publicly demonstrate and voice support for worthy international causes. This is how the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People should have been seen to be marked this year.