Final Statement of the Fourth Palestinians in Europe Conference
The Fourth Palestinians in Europe Conference was successfully convened in
the Swedish city of Malmo on 6 May 2006. It was held under the title 'Deep
rooted Identity and Firm Adherence to their Rights.'
The conference was organized by the Palestinian Return Centre, London, and
hosted by the Adalah Centre in Sweden. About 5,000 guests attended the
event. They included delegations from all over the European continent,
representatives of Palestinian associations, institutions and organizations
both from within Europe and beyond. Additionally, a number of official and public figures were in attendance; notwithstanding academicians, artists,
journalists and leaders of Palestinian civic society bodies in Sweden and
across the continent.
The conference was marked by a large participation of Palestinian youths
from across Europe. They conducted several workshops and discussions
confirming the commitment and dedication of Palestinian youth to their cause
wherever they may reside. They asserted their determination to serve their
cause with the most innovative ways. The conference also entailed an open
discussion with members of the Swedish public and other Europeans
participants. They reviewed several aspects of the Palestine Question and
its evolution, confirming the growing understanding and support by
significant sections of European society for the Palestinian cause.
Among those participating in the conference was the Palestinian Minister for
Refugee Affairs, Dr Atif Udwan. Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh also addressed
the conference through as direct telephone link to Gaza. Similarly President
Mahmud Abbas sent a written letter which was read by the Palestinian General
Delegate to Sweden. The leader of the Islamic Movement in Israel Shaykh Raid
Salah and the official spokesperson for the Orthodox Church in Jerusalem and
the Holy Lands Archbishop Father Dr. Ata Allah Hana also addressed the
conference by telephone link. This broad participation in this year's event
underscored the immense importance of the Palestinian cause and the unity of
its people wherever they may be.
The Fourth Conference which has followed the conferences of London (2003),
Berlin (2004), Vienna (2005) was conducted in an atmosphere of positive and
constructive discussions.
The conference issued its final statement which was the result of workshops
in which an estimated 600 persons participated.
FIRST: the conference insisted that the Palestinian people wherever they are
constituted a unified body that would resist every attempt to fragment and
divide them. The Palestinians in Europe are an integral part of the
Palestinian people as well as the Arab and Islamic nation. They adhere to
their Palestinian national identity, their cultural traits, share the
Palestinian anguish and aspirations. They defend the just Palestinian rights
and repudiate any tendency of laxity or compromise in their regard.
SECOND: the Malmo conference reaffirmed the decisions taken in London,
Berlin and Vienna concerning adherence to the right of return. They warned
of the dire consequences of attempts to undermine or jeopardise this right.
They demanded the urgent implementation of this right in a manner that would
enable the Palestinians to return to the homes from which they were forcibly
expelled. The conference asserted that the refugees must be afforded due compensation as a result of all the physical and psychological losses which
they and their descendents have suffered throughout the years of exile.
THIRD: the conference appreciated with pride the steadfastness and great
sacrifices made by the Palestinian people including their martyrs, wounded
and prisoners in defence of their dignity, country, homes and sacred sites
for the better part of the last century. These sacrifices have continued
uninterruptedly from one generation to the next culminating in the Aqsa Intifadah during which the Palestinians have demonstrated the most
outstanding examples of awakening, dignity, and steadfastness in the face of
the brutal campaigns conducted by the Occupying Power.
FOURTH: the Palestinians in Europe conference congratulate the Palestinians
in the Occupied Territories for the successful manner in which they
conducted the recent democratic elections which were carried out in an open
and free manner. This was done in spite of all the pressures and challenges.
The conference calls upon all parties to respect the results of the
elections and the independent will of the Palestinian people and help them
to build their free and sovereign state in their land.
FIFTH: the conference salutes the heroic Palestinians in the lands occupied
in 1948 and expresses its pride in their stubborn endurance in their land
and noble defence of the sacred Islamic and Christian sites. The conference
expressed its absolute solidarity with them in the light of the current
occupation which targets their identity and imposes on them racist and
discriminatory laws.
SIXTH: the conferees expressed their gravest concern with the growing
threats against the noble city of Jerusalem, the capital of Palestine. They
are part of an ongoing programme of judaization and attempt to change the
Arab character of the city. The conferees warned of the consequences of any
aggression against Al Aqsa Mosque or the Islamic and Christian holy sites
and endowments in Jerusalem. It warned of the consequences of continued
attempts to change the Arab character of the city with its historic features
and its cultural and civilizational traits.
SEVENTH: the conference drew attention to the continued annexation of land
and racist designs intended by the construction of the wall which has been
condemned internationally through the advisory ruling of the International
Court of Justice and the UN General Assembly. The wall confines the
Palestinian people to isolated enclaves, expropriates their land and leaves
them in a huge prison. It denies them contact with each other and fragments
their land. The conferees insisted that the European countries and all other
parties must ensure the dismantlement of this racist wall which envelops the
Palestinian land. The conference called for the imposition of punitive
measures in response to the acts of aggression and hostility by the
Occupying Power and its expansionist conduct.
EIGHTH: the conference reaffirmed the right of the Palestinian people to
resist foreign occupation of their land, their homes and holy sites and to
repel the constant aggression meted out against them. They should be
supported in this undertaking by the international community and all those
who profess commitment to truth and freedom in the world.
NINTH: the conference emphasised the need to activate the Palestinian
presence in Europe and wherever they are domiciled in the service of the
Palestinian cause. This necessitates the conduct of Palestinian elections in
Europe in order to derive an effective representation for them in the
Palestinian context. All participants without exception are in support of
this proposal. The conferees emphasised the need to rebuild the Palestinian
Liberation Organization (PLO) in response to the demands for reform and
activate its role on the basis of full participation and genuine democratic
principles, guaranteeing the participation of all sectors of the Palestinian
society. They recognized that this is an indispensable demand that should be
speedily met without any further delay or procrastination.
TENTH: the conference emphasised the important role played by Palestinian
women in Europe in the service of their just cause. This includes her
central role in preserving the Palestinian identity, its reinforcement and
strong adherence to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. The
conference stressed the need to continue developing this role and to ensure
the full participation of Palestinian women in all aspects of Palestinian
activism in Europe.
ELEVENTH: the conference expressed its pride in the adherence of the
Palestinian youth in Europe, boys and girls, to their identity and their
insistence on the restoration of all their inalienable rights including the
right of return. In this context the conference emphasised the need to
create ample opportunities and avenues for these youth to realize their full
potential and the service of their just cause by effective and innovative
means, guaranteeing continued positive contact in every sphere of
Palestinian endeavour.
TWELFTH: the conference expressed its profound appreciation for the positive
support and solidarity demonstrated by wide cross-section of civil society
in Europe toward the Palestinian people. The conference urged non
governmental organizations in Europe to continue their support for the
Palestinian people and their institutions and their efforts to strengthen
the bonds of participation and cooperation at all levels.
THIRTEENTH: the conference expressed its utter dismay with the punitive
measures which certain Europeans have decided to impose on the Palestinian
people following the exercise of their democratic vote. The conference views
the political and economic blockade of the Palestinian people as a
regrettable backward step and an assault against universal humanitarian and
moral standards. They view it also as a dereliction of duties as well as
European historical obligations toward the Palestinian people, especially at
this most delicate juncture. The conference urges all the concerned parties
to immediately change this unjust stand which has caused immense distress
among the Palestinians in Europe. They would have negative consequences on
efforts to build confidence and boost the image of Europe and the positive
role it is expected to play as a balancing force in international relations.
FOURTEENTH: the Palestinian in Europe conference expressed its confidence
that the scandalous sanctions imposed on the Palestinian government would
soon be lifted. They note that there is mounting frustration in certain
official circles as well as on the popular level across Europe with these
sanctions which contradict all moral and humanitarian standards. In this
regard the conference viewed the stand of the Swedish government not to
succumb to external pressure as a clear sign that these measures would
ultimately become irrelevant. They note that the pettiness of these measures
which do not in any way reflect the conduct of civilized nations.
FIFTEENTH: the conference calls upon civil society bodies in Europe to
increase their demands for the lifting of the sanctions and blockade against
the Palestinian people. They urged the European governments to stand
alongside the Palestinian people and assist them in their struggle to regain
their usurped rights including the right of return and the establishment of
their state with Jerusalem as its capital.
SIXTEENTH: the conference salutes the fraternal support of the Arab and
Islamic communities in Europe and their continuous support for Palestine and
its besieged people. This is demonstrated across Europe in the ongoing
solidarity campaigns initiated in response to the policies of blockade and
starvation. The conference appreciates the support of the Arab and Islamic
communities for the Palestinian people and their condemnation of the crimes
and violations committed by the Occupying Power. It appreciates their
solidarity and stand side by side with others in support of truth, justice
and freedom and those who oppose oppression in Europe.
SEVENTEENTH: the conference reaffirms the adherence of the Palestinians in
Europe to their Palestinian national identity. It asserts their constructive
role in the building of their respective European societies and the
promotion of cultural interaction to secure their progress and prosperity.
They reaffirmed their commitment to serve the peace, stability and the
general good of the European society.
EIGHTEENTH: the conference urges all educational, academic cultural and
media institutions in Europe to inform the European public about the truth
of the Palestine Question, its dimensions and consequences. This includes
the historic injustice inflicted on the Palestinian people and the
usurpation of their ancestral land, homes and inalienable rights. The
conference stressed to address every aspect of prejudice or exclusion that
may be found in educational programmes, school-books, cultural and media
materials.
NINETEENTH: the conference reaffirmed the importance of enacting the
decisions taken at the previous conferences in London (2003) Berlin (2004)
and Vienna (2005) with their special recommendations to afford greater
opportunities to the Palestinian youth and discussion of the Palestinian
issue in European languages. They urged the forging stronger relationships
with politicians and influential figures in European society concerning the
rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people. They emphasised the need
to provide ample introductory and promotional material that inform and
clarify the facts surrounding the Palestine Question and the right of return
and reinforce the Palestinian identity within the widest possible sectors of
the European public.
The above statement is reproduced from http://www.prc.org.uk/data/aspx/d2/2822.aspx
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Fourth Annual International Al-Awda Convention
San Francisco - July 14-16, 2006
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