By Edward Makuzva
The Ambassador of Palestine to Zimbabwe, Tamer Almassri has appreciated the immense support of Zimbabweans to Palestine in its quest for independence from the Israeli apartheid settler regime.
Speaking at the Palestine Solidarity Conference in Zimbabwe, Friday, in the Capital , Almassri added that the support from the government and the people of Zimbabwe in our quest to end one of the worst and the last occupations in the world, which is the Israeli apartheid regime.
“We would like to reiterate the fact that with your support and solidarity, Palestinian people can also achieve self-determination and together we can end the Israeli occupation and colonialism.
“I appreciate the support from the government and the people of Zimbabwe in our quest to end one of the worst and the last occupations in the world, which is the Israeli apartheid regime”, Almassri explained.
The Zimbabwe Palestine Solidarity Council has successfully hosted a conference where various stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Palestine against the apartheid Israeli regime that continues to curtail human rights and social justice for Palestinians.
Almassri said Palestinian people can also achieve self-determination and together we can end the Israeli occupation and colonialism.
In his open remarks ZANU PF Secretary External Affairs Ambassador Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said Zimbabwe was one of the first countries to recognise the Palestinian State by establishing a Palestinian Embassy in Zimbabwe immediately after independence in 1980.
Ambassador Mumbengegwi said it is the only country that had a Palestinian Ambassador as the Head of the Diplomatic Corps.
Speaking at the same occasion, ZANU PF Spokesperson, Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa highlighted that the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine was being hampered by imperialist powers like Britain and the United States who are reluctant to reprimand Israel and force it to adopt a plethora of United Nations resolutions to that effect.
Zimbabwe Palestine Solidarity Council which is an umbrella body of all Palestine Solidarity organizations in Zimbabwe has organized this conference in support of the Palestinian people .
ZPSC Chairperson Kwanisai Mafa said his organisation will not tire in its quest to mobilise support for the independence of Palestine as evidenced by representatives from students movements, Muslim and Chrisian organisations, writers, the media, the diplomatic community and development partners who graced the conference.
“I want to welcome you all to this important conference. I would like to also salute you for your persistent efforts and years of solidarity work aimed at achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the question of Palestine.
“As human beings, it is inevitable to empathize and sympathize with the sufferings of other human beings.
“Quoting Nelson Mandela an iconic hero in fighting against Apartheid, he said the Palestinian struggle is the greatest moral issue of our time. As we begin this New Year, we felt it imperative for all of us to remember, to reflect and to renew our commitment to the Palestinian cause”, Mafa added.
Africa benefited a lot from international solidarity and ordinary citizens, students and workers around the world sacrificed themselves for the fight against apartheid and colonialism.
The conference brings together various groups to express solidarity to the Palestinian people who are oppressed and living in occupied territories.
The event was graced by Hon Webster Shamu, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, who is also the ZANU (PF) Deputy Political Commissar, deputy minister of Information media and broadcasting services Kindness Paradza who said the ruling party supports the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
