International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

The date of 29 November is observed as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People since 1978. This date, which was chosen because of its meaning and significance to the Palestinian people, is based on the call by the United Nations General Assembly for an annual observance of the resolution on the partition of Palestine. What has become known as the Partition Plan or the Resolution 181 (II), intended to establish an Arab State and a Jewish State, and was adopted on 29 November 1947.

The International Day of Solidarity traditionally provides an opportunity for the international community to focus its attention on the fact that the question of Palestine remains unresolved and that the Palestinian people have yet to attain their inalienable rights as defined by the General Assembly, namely, the right to self-determination without external interference, the right to national independence and sovereignty, and the right to return to their homes and property, from which they have been displaced.

For 31 years (since 1986), UNESCO has been celebrating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People through the development of education, culture, sciences and freedom of expression. These goals shape all of UNESCO’s actions to foster dialogue and exchange; counter all forms of racism and hatred, in order to build peace in the minds of all women and men and restore the foundations of living together in harmony and security.