Geingob affirms unwavering support for Palestine

President Hage Geingob has reaffirmed Namibia’s unwavering support for peace and stability and the Palestinian people at the observation of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People yesterday. A statement from the Office of the President issued last week reiterated Namibia’s call for the unconditional removal of the blockade that was placed by Israel to control borders and limit who goes in and out of the Gaza strip. He expressed Namibia’s desire to see the eventual establishment of a Palestinian state and its unconditional admission as member of the United Nations (UN). Tension and hostilities between Israeli and Palestinian societies have increased since the collapse of peace negotiations in mid-2014. After World War II, the Jewish people of Israel wanted their own country and were given a large part of Palestine, which they considered their home. Arabs who already lived there and in neighbouring counties felt that this was unfair and did not want the new country to be established around monuments of immense religious significance to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Geingob further, on behalf of government, expressed hope for peace in the Middle East that will pave the way for the co-existence of a Palestinian state with Israel. Whether this peace is realised or not, will depend on the strong political will of the international community to ensure that all measures are taken for stability within the region. Geingob said there is therefore a need for the international community to work in unison to rally against continued aggression by Israel which has resulted in an embargo on the Gaza strip as well as the recent siege in Gaza that resulted in the death and displacement of many Palestinians. In 1977, the UN General Assembly called for November 29 to be declared an International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People to be observed annually in the light of recognising the rights of the Palestinian people – politically and culturally. NAMPA