"I call on all members of the international community and, in particular, Israelis and Palestinians, to work together for justice and a durable peace". The leaders of Israel and Palestine will need political will, a sense of historic responsibility and a clear vision for a better future for this and future generations. I pledge to do my utmost in support of their efforts."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
In its resolution 68/12, the General Assembly requested the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People to organize activities to be held during the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, to be observed in 2014, in cooperation with Governments, relevant organizations of the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations and civil society organizations. The Committee is of the view that the Assembly made the proclamation at a particularly opportune time, as 2014 promises to be a critical year in the history of Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking. The Committee, supported by the Division for Palestinian Rights, will accord the highest priority to this task.
According to established practice, national Governments, the United Nations system entities, intergovernmental organizations and civil society undertake the bulk of the activities under international years. The Committee intends to act as a catalyst in mobilizing these constituencies so that relevant activities will proceed on a worldwide basis in a coordinated way. The Committee will promulgate the logo and the main themes of the International Year.
The objective of the International Year is to promote solidarity with the Palestinian people and generate further momentum and international support for the realization of their inalienable rights, which have been denied for too long. The Year will help to place the following elements at the top of the international agenda:
- (a) The core themes regarding the question of Palestine, as prioritized by the Committee, such as the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, primarily the right to self-determination and independence, and support for the peace process towards a permanent settlement in accordance with international law and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations;
- (b) Developments regarding obstacles to the ongoing peace process, particularly those requiring urgent action, such as settlements, the situation in Jerusalem, the blockade of Gaza and the humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory;
- (c) Mobilization of international, regional and national action towards the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine.