PARIS, June 4, 2025 (WAFA) – The International Alliance to Defend the Rights of the Palestinian People and Protect the Right of Return was announced today in the French capital Paris.
The alliance was organized by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), in cooperation with the French Communist Party and the Palestine Forum Foundation.
The coalition launch was attended by members of the organization's Executive Committee Ahmed Al-Tamimi, Faisal Aranki, and Bassam Al-Salhi; President of the Palestine Forum, Munib Al-Masri; Governor of Jericho and the Jordan Valley, Hussein Hamayel; Advisor to the Governor of Jerusalem, Marouf Al-Rifai; Palestinian, Arab, and international institutions and figures; Deputy Palestinian Ambassador to France, Nadine Abu Al-Haija; and embassy staff.
Qassim Awad, Deputy Director of the Human Rights and Civil Society Department and General Coordinator of the Conference, said that this event was the result of efforts made over the past year at the national, Arab and international levels, at a crucial moment in the history of the Palestinian people's struggle for self-determination.
He the conference was held in Paris under the auspices of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and the French Communist Party, with the active participation of the French left, international progressive forces, global civil societies, labor unions, academics, legal and parliamentary experts, and political parties from Europe, the Arab world and internationally.
The founding statement stated this conference convened with the objective of establishing an "International Coalition for the Defense of Palestinian Rights and the Protection of the Right of Return"—a Palestinian, Arab, and international alliance rooted in the historic struggle of peoples for progress.
“Our demand is the enforcement of international law, the right of peoples to self-determination, a just and lasting peace for all nations, and the application of the principles of the United Nations Charter. We condemn all forms of colonization and the subjugation of peoples,” the statement read.
It added that the Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, its supremacist policies, the war crimes and crimes against humanity it commits, and the international support it enjoys pose an existential threat to the Palestinian people and regional peace. Its criminal and racist agenda must be immediately halted through effective pressure and sanctions from the international community, the European Union, and national governments.
The statement called on all people of conscience to rise and end the genocidal campaign waged by the Israeli government in Gaza, urging for an immediate and permanent ceasefire must be implemented, the deadly blockade must be lifted to facilitate humanitarian and medical aid, and war crimes and crimes against humanity must cease without delay. Stressing that perpetrators must be held accountable before international justice.
It affirmed that the Palestinian cause is a matter of national liberation and human emancipation that can only be resolved through justice and law—by ending colonization, occupation, and apartheid in the occupied territories, and halting the systematic discrimination suffered by the Palestinian people.
The statement stressed that only a political solution grounded in international law can realize the Palestinian people’s national rights, noting that their liberation is part of the long struggle of Arab and global peoples for independence against colonialism, racism, and antisemitism, demanding that France and the European Union immediately recognize the State of Palestine to finally materialize the two-state solution.
“We commit to ensuring international law is upheld. We reaffirm the Palestinian people’s inalienable rights, foremost their right to self-determination, the return of refugees under UN Resolution 194, an end to occupation and colonization, and the establishment of an independent, democratic, and secular state with Jerusalem as its capital—in accordance with international law, including UN Resolutions 181 (Partition), 242, 338, 1397, 2334, and others,” according to the statement.
The statement demanded respect and implementation of the Right of Return—an individual and collective, inalienable right—to redress decades of injustice and dispossession endured by the Palestinian people, calling for sanctions against Israel until it complies with international law. This includes suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement and enforcing rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC).
It also called for an international alliance to demand recognition of Palestinian national rights, enforcement of international law, recognition of Palestine, and a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
“By expanding the coalition to trade unions, civil society, academic, legal, and media institutions, and elected officials worldwide, we aim to build an effective tool for political influence,” it affirmed.
The statement commended the leadership of Saudi Arabia and France in convening the June 19 UN-backed international conference in New York to protect the two-state solution, firmly supporting this initiative, which could pave the way for justice and peace by reaffirming international law and Palestinian rights.
“We also salute the courageous stance of Egypt and Jordan in rejecting the Trump administration’s unilateral "peace plan"—a maneuver to bury Palestinian rights and legitimize annexation,” according to the statement.
The statement stressed that the convergence of the "Freedom for Palestine" and "Protection of the Two-State Solution" conferences marks a historic opportunity to rebalance international relations, end occupation and blockade, restore justice, and secure collective security and shared progress for Palestinians and all peoples of the Middle East.
“We pay tribute to the Palestinian people for their courage and dignity in Jerusalem, Gaza, the West Bank, the 1948 territories, the diaspora, and refugee camps,” the statement read.
It saluted all those—including in Israel—who tirelessly advocate for freedom, democracy, and justice worldwide.
“We honor the humanitarian workers, UN personnel, and journalists killed by deliberate Israeli actions. We urge mass mobilization for a just peace and affirm that Palestinian unity and global solidarity are the keys to liberation,” the statement concluded.
A.D./ K.F.
