Don’t Give UP the September Bid
10/08/2011 – Ramallah, Palestine
Palestinian youth launch the “Don’t Give the UP September Bid” campaign.
In conjunction with Sharek Youth Forum, Palestinian youth from both Palestine and the Diaspora, launched the “Don’t Give Up the September Bid” campaign. This campaign was initiated to support efforts for the recognition of an independent Palestinian state by the United Nations. The youth of Palestine unequivocally support the efforts to achieve the recognition of a Palestinian State in September. They affirmed that the right to self-determination is a long and complex struggle which starts with the recognition of the state and only ends when the Palestinian people obtain independence, freedom and rights.
The campaign will include a series of debates among the Palestinian youth within Palestine and throughout the Diaspora. These debates will take place simultaneously with the Palestinian efforts to mobilize support for the upcoming UN General Assembly Meeting to seek recognition of an independent state with full sovereignty.
In their debate, the Palestinian youth emphasized the need for unity in Palestine. The majority of the youth believe that going to the UN for full international recognition of a Palestinian state does not contradict the right to self-determination. On the contrary, it is considered an important step to fully achieve this goal. The youth also demand a clear stance from the political leadership, represented by the PLO. They believe that the formation of Palestinian state does not mean concession of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, most important of which is the right of return of the refugees and the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital city of the Palestinian state.
The Palestinian youth in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and the Diaspora express their respect and recognition for the Palestinian people inside the Green Line (1948). They also state that they are deeply rooted to the land of Palestine, their adherence to the Palestinian identity, and the struggle against the discriminatory practices of the occupying state.
The “Don’t Give Up the September Bid” campaign embodies the voice and conscience of the youth of Palestine. It is also a call to President Mahmoud Abbas, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the PLO, and the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, to maintain this course of action. It is a call to show the continued desire to achieve an internationally recognized Palestinian state through legitimate means and the human rights that are attributed to this.
The “Don’t Give Up the September Bid” campaign emphasizes the Palestinian youth statement that:
“We build our homeland, resist the occupier and pave the road for return.”
