Thank you, House Chair. The ANC notes that in 1997, the United Nations General Assembly called for the annual observance on November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people. The ANC further notes that the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian people has a mandate to advise the General Assembly on the programme to enable the Palestinian people to exercise their rights, including the right to self- determination without external interference, the right to national independence and sovereignty, and the right to return to their homes and property from which they have been dispossessed.
The ANC acknowledges that the committee has strongly supported the objective of the two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side within secure and recognised borders. The ANC further acknowledges that the committee strives to heighten international awareness of all aspects of the question of the Palestinian people and
promotes international support for and assistance of the Palestinian people.
The ANC celebrates the opening of the exhibit "Palestine
- the most universal of national causes" consisting of pictures and quotes by well-known public figures who have expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people - and will be inaugurated at the United Nations on 27 November. Thank you. [Applause.] [Time expired.]