City Council flies Palestinian flag in solidarity
As in previous years, Aberdeen City Council will fly the Palestinian flag on the 29th November to mark the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. This initiative is in support of the 2005 UN resolution 60/37 which encourages Member States to continue to give the widest support and publicity to the observance of this Day of Solidarity(1). The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged Member States to ‘reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rights of the Palestinian people’ on this International Day of Solidarity.
Palestinians living in Aberdeen shared their reactions to the flag-flying:
Being in Aberdeen for 18 years and having family and Aberdonian children it is a great joy to see the flag of Palestine raised high in the city of granite shining and bringing a great hope and symbolic recognition to the rights of Palestinian people. This also shows the true understanding and kindness of people of Aberdeen as well as The city council and their connection with Palestine.
I live and work in Aberdeen, however I originated from Acre, Palestine . It’s so heartwarming to witness all the support the oppressed nation is receiving here. It’s exceptionally inspiring to observe the Palestinian flag prevail and soar in Aberdeen even when there is a massive distance between the two places. I would really to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Bahaa, a business-owner in Aberdeen
Bahaa, from Palestine, has been living with his family in Aberdeen for 18 years.
The Palestinian people remain the victims of brutal human right abuses that have been repeatedly condemned by local international human rights organisations. In 2019 alone according to the United Nations more than 15,000 Palestinians were wounded by Israeli forces in the occupied Palestinian territories(2). According to the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions 49,806 Palestinian homes and other structures were destroyed by Israel in the occupied territories since the Israeli military began occupying the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza(3). According to the Israeli government itself in 2019 8,337 settlement units were approved by Israel to be built in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem(4) in violation of international law and multiple UN resolutions(5).
References
1. United Nations Observances. International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-solidarity-with-the-palestinian-people
2. United Nations. Protection of Civilians occupied Palestinian territory. https://www.ochaopt.org/sites/default/files/protection_of_civilians_report_10-23_december_2019.pdf
3. Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions https://icahd.org/
4. Times of Israel. 31 Oct 2019. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-advances-2342-settler-homes-capping-off-record-year-under-trump/
5. United Nations Security Council. Resolution 2334. 23 December 2016. https://www.un.org/webcast/pdfs/SRES2334-2016.pdf