Global Politicsupdated 23m ago3 min read
Archive photo · 22 January 2026Mahmoud Abbas Says Declaration of Independence Reaffirms Palestinians’ Right to Freedom and Statehood
3 West Asian2 OtherPhoto: Kremlin.ru, CC BY 4.0 · Cropped for layout
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Palestinians' right to freedom, sovereignty and statehood reaffirmed. State of Palestine envisioned on June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem capital.
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Abbas marks 38th anniversary
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas affirmed that the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on November 15, 1988 marks a renewed national and historic milestone in the Palestinian people's journey and struggle for freedom, sovereignty over their homeland, and the establishment of an independent, sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Abbas said the declaration, proclaimed by the late leader Yasser Arafat before the Palestinian National Council in Algiers in 1988, expressed the free national will of the Palestinian people and crowned decades of sacrifice and struggle. Abbas stressed that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, will remain the inclusive national framework and political reference for Palestinians at home and in the diaspora.
Abbas described preserving the PLO and strengthening its standing, role and national unity as fundamental pillars for protecting the national project, safeguarding independent national decision-making, and continuing the path toward realizing the independence of the State of Palestine. Abbas said, "There can be no peace, stability or security in the region without ending the Israeli occupation and enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their legitimate national rights."
Gaza, West Bank unity
Abbas affirmed that the Gaza Strip is an inseparable part of the territory of the State of Palestine and said national responsibility requires strengthening the resilience of its people, working to end their suffering, rebuilding what has been destroyed by the aggression, and unifying national institutions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Abbas said unification should include East Jerusalem under a single political and legal system and one legitimate authority, to ensure the unity of the land, people and institutions and give effect to the unity and independence of the Palestinian state. Abbas called on the international community to assume its legal and moral responsibilities by stopping Israeli attacks, settlement activity and forced displacement, providing international protection for the Palestinian people, holding the occupation accountable for its violations of international law, and working to enable the State of Palestine to obtain full membership in the United Nations.
The Palestinian National Council said the 38th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence falls tomorrow, Sunday, and came as Palestinians faced ongoing war of genocide and aggression against the Gaza Strip and escalation of attacks by the occupation forces and settlers in the West Bank, including Jerusalem. The Council declared, "The Council also affirmed the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to resist the occupation and defend their land, existence, and rights in accordance with international law."
International messages and recognition
WAFA reported that President Mahmoud Abbas received a congratulatory message from His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom on the occasion of the 38th anniversary of the declaration of independence of the State of Palestine. WAFA said King Charles III affirmed that the historic decision taken by the United Kingdom in 2025 to recognize the State of Palestine has contributed to strengthening the prospects for friendship and cooperation between the two nations. Petra said King Abdullah II sent a cable to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the 38th anniversary, calling on the international community to intensify its efforts to end Israel’s aggression, halt its plans to annex territory and expand settlements, and stop the forced displacement of Palestinians.
Petra also said King Abdullah II reiterated the need for relevant states to step up their efforts to ensure adherence of all parties to the Gaza ceasefire agreement and to alleviate the worsening catastrophic humanitarian conditions in the Strip. In his speech marking the 38th anniversary, Abbas said, "Our choice is a just and comprehensive peace based on international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution, along the June 4, 1967 borders".