In a historic move, the UN is commemorating the Nakba of the Palestinian people for the first time since 1948, organizing an official event at its headquarters in New York.
The UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in collaboration with the Division for Palestinian Rights in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, will mark the 75th anniversary of the Nakba on Monday.
Pro-Palestinian resolution receives overwhelming support
The decision to commemorate the Nakba at the UN headquarters was made following a pro-Palestinian resolution passed by the UN General Assembly.
The resolution received 90 votes in favor, with 30 against, and 47 countries abstaining from voting on the initiative.
As a result, the Division for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat is requested to dedicate its activities in 2023 to the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Nakba.
The UN has organized two major events in collaboration with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the UN. A special high-level meeting will take place from 10am to 12:30pm (New York time) in Conference Room 4 at the UN Headquarters.
Chaired by Ambassador Cheikh Niang, Chair of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, the meeting will feature a speech by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Additionally, statements will be delivered by UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and Commissioner-General of the UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini, along with representatives from regional groups and civil society.
Furthermore, a special commemorative event and concert will be held in the UN General Assembly Hall from 6pm to 8pm (New York time).
The aim of the event is to provide a comprehensive experience of the Palestinian Nakba through the presentation of photos, videos, testimonies, and two concerts. The concerts will be performed by Palestinian artist Sanaa Mousa and Nasim Al-Atrash, a Grammy-nominated cellist and composer, accompanied by the New York Arab Orchestra.
New milestone
Palestinian Permanent Representative to the UN, Riyad Mansour, emphasized the significance of the General Assembly’s decision to commemorate the Nakba. He noted that it represents the first official recognition by the world parliament of the Nakba of the Palestinian people.
Mansour highlighted that this recognition will pave the way for further efforts to develop subsequent legislation, relying on Palestinian creativity.
He also highlighted the achievements of Palestinian diplomacy, including the granting of non-member state observer status to Palestine in the UN in 2012, joining international treaties, and becoming a state party to various global conferences.
The events taking place on Monday will be broadcast live worldwide through the UN website and television, said Mansour.
Source: Jordan News. 15 May 2023