RAMALLAH, March 29, 2018 (WAFA) - Hanan Ashrawi, PLO Executive Committee Member Thursday said Palestinians remain committed to popular non-violent activism and political, legal and diplomatic efforts, and will persist in the struggle for freedom.

Her remarks came one day prior to the 42nd anniversary of Land Day, which falls on March 30 every year. She explained, in March 1976, the Israeli government announced its decision to expropriate thousands of dunams of land belonging to Palestinian citizens of Israel.

Thousands of indigenous Palestinians organized a general strike and marches in Arab towns from the Galilee to the Naqab. In the following confrontations with the Israeli army and police, six unarmed Palestinians were killed, about one hundred were wounded, and hundreds of others arrested.

Ashrawi said, “Forty-two years later, the Palestinians in all of historical Palestine continue to endure destruction, displacement and dehumanization at the hands of the right-wing and extremist Israeli government and its unlawful policies and draconian measures.”

She added, “By means of its egregious violations, primarily the persistent annexation of land and the expansion of the illegal settlement enterprise, military checkpoints and apartheid walls in the occupied Palestinian territory, Israel is acting with impunity and prolonging the military occupation.”  

It is also causing grave suffering for its Palestinian citizens with discriminatory and unjust laws, proposals and measures and denying them of their basic and fundamental rights as citizens of Israel.

All Palestinians, whether in the West Bank (including occupied East Jerusalem), Gaza, ’48 Israel, or in exile, remain steadfast and committed to the land and to defending their inalienable rights and legitimate aspirations for freedom and self-determination.

As we observe this national day and honor our brothers and sisters who were murdered, we pay tribute to the Palestinian people everywhere for their courage and resilience in the face of Israeli racism, colonialism and violence.

With every obstacle and barrier implemented by Israel, we will persevere and provide hope in the face of devastation and despair.

M.H.