“There would be no peace without an independent Palestinian state”, this was said by Her Excellency Taghrid Senouar, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Zimbabwe while delivering a lecture to the diploma students, members of the diplomatic corps and members of the public at ZID Offices, 24 October 2018.

In her passionate presentation, H. E Taghrid Senouar noted that Palestinian people’s rights are not up for bargaining in the name of Religion. The Palestinians have continued to be deprived of their inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination and statehood, for more than 60 years. Millions of Palestinians remain refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and elsewhere, unable to return to their former homes yet the right of return for refugees is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Ambassador pointed out that the victimization, suffering and dispossession of their rights was caused by Europe’s treatment of Jews in the 20th Century. In concurrence with the Ambassador, Mr Musarafu, the Chairperson of the ‘Friends of Palestine’ alluded that German should have been the one divided to accommodate the Jewish state. He also noted with disdain the decision by the United States Government to relocate the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and said it is a violation of international law. In the same light of the Ambassador’s remarks, Mr Chikanda, Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Institute of Diplomacy underscored the need to have a two-state solution  in ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the two countries living side-by-side in harmony and peace – for any delay in obtaining Palestine Independence is justice denied.

There is only one way to address such legitimate rights and fears: a peace agreement that results in an end of occupation, an end of conflict, and the creation of a State of Palestine living side-by-side in peace with the State of Israel.

Long Live the State of Palestine!