International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

28/11/2011 — Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Kristalina Georgieva, stated that "On this day in 1947 the UN Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine, and in 1977 this symbolic date became "International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People". I therefore take this opportunity to reiterate Europe's solidarity and support of the Palestinian people who continue to rely on humanitarian assistance".

Since 2000, the European Commission has provided almost €600 million in humanitarian aid to help meet the basic needs of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as Palestinian refugees living in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Particular attention is paid to those refugees who do not receive aid from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees in the Near-East (UNRWA) and other organizations, especially those living in the 42 unofficial 'gatherings' in Lebanon, lacking the legal status to benefit from UNRWA's aid programme.

In 2011, the Commission's assistance supported:

  • getting food assistance to 1,130,000 people;
  • provided healthcare and psychosocial support for 471,000 vulnerable Palestinians;
  • made clean water available to 413,000 people in Gaza, West Bank and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon;
  • provided shelter for 655 Palestinians in Lebanon and contributed to the protection and care of children and adult Palestinian refugees.

The Commissioner concluded by saying that "We fully support the legitimate right of the Israeli people to live in peace and security but would remind the authorities that this right does not relieve Israel from its obligation to respect international humanitarian law. This said, International Humanitarian Law must be respected by all parties involved."

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