Ramallah – 15 November 2025
Dr. Ahmad Abu Huli, Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Head of the Department of Refugee Affairs, affirmed that the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the State of Palestine is a deeply rooted national occasion that reasserts the legitimacy of the Palestinian narrative and the justice of our people’s historical rights, foremost among them the right of return, self-determination, and the establishment of an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.
In a statement issued today, Dr. Abu Huli said that on this occasion, our people stand with pride and determination, recalling the historic moment when the founding leader, the martyr Yasser Arafat, declared the State of Palestine in 1988 from the land of sisterly Algeria, carrying to the world the voice of a people who have struggled for decades for freedom, dignity, and their natural right to live.
He added that the Declaration of Independence marked a pivotal turning point in the course of our national struggle, solidifying the political and diplomatic presence of the State of Palestine on the international stage, and opening new horizons for political and legal action in confronting the occupation and its measures.
Dr. Abu Huli stressed that the Palestinian leadership, under the presidency of His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas, remains steadfast in defending national principles and confronting all attempts to liquidate the refugee issue or undermine the international mandate granted to UNRWA.
He also noted that the Department of Refugee Affairs continues its efforts with donor countries and international institutions to ensure the continued support for UNRWA, as it stands as a living witness to the Nakba and the international community’s responsibility toward it.
He affirmed that the refugee issue will remain at the heart of the national project, as it is not merely a humanitarian matter but a political and rights-based issue that touches the essence of Palestinian identity. The right of return is a firmly rooted right, both individually and collectively, that does not lapse with time and cannot be stripped of its legitimacy by any force.
Dr. Abu Huli extended greetings to the Palestinian people in the homeland and the diaspora, to our steadfast people in the Gaza Strip, to those stationed in Jerusalem resisting the occupation’s policies with resilience, and to our people in the West Bank confronting settlers’ aggression and the occupation’s terrorism. He also saluted Palestinian communities abroad who continue to carry and defend the Palestinian narrative in international forums.
He pointed out that this year’s Independence Day comes at a time when our people are more committed to their rights, more determined to confront the occupation’s schemes, and more united around their national project.
He said: “Our belief in our right to statehood and independence is unwavering, and the work to achieve it continues on all political, diplomatic, legal, and popular fronts.”
Dr. Abu Huli concluded his statement by affirming that Independence Day is not a distant dream, but a goal moving steadily toward realization through the sacrifices and steadfast will of our people, and with the support of our brothers and the free people of the world for our just cause, asserting that the dawn of freedom is inevitably coming.
