Swedish activist, Benjamin Ladraa, with the Palestinian flag walking for Palestine. 

RAMALLAH, July 7, 2018 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas granted Swedish activist Benjamin Ladraa, 25, the Palestinian nationality and bestowed on him the medal of achievement for his solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Ladraa walked 4,800 kilometers with a Palestinian flag on his back over an 11 month period that took him through 15 countries to generate awareness about the plight of the Palestinian people under Israel‘s cruel military occupation. When he reached on Friday the last leg of his walk, which is Palestine, the Israeli border authorities held him for six hours at the border crossing with Jordan before denying him entry to the occupied Palestinian territories.

“On behalf of the Palestinian leadership and people of Palestine, we extend our deep gratitude to Ladraa who has demonstrated exceptional courage and integrity by advocating on behalf of the Palestinian people and educating the international community about Israel‘s persistent violations and acts of aggression against Palestinian lives, lands and resources; we will remain indebted to Mr. Ladraa,” wrote Hanan Ashrawi, a Palestine Liberation Organization official.

M.K.