The Global Campaign to Return to Palestine held on Monday a ceremony to honor prominent political and intellectual figures who have been actively supporting the Palestinian cause.
Al-Manar English Website was at the event, known as the “First International Meeting of Return Ambassadors,” which took place in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, and was attended by numerous activists.
The ceremony recognized the contributions of eight distinguished ambassadors, who have played pivotal roles in advocating for Palestine. These esteemed individuals are:
- Mandla Mandela, a member of the South African parliament and the grandson of the revered freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela.
- Aleida Guevara, a Cuban activist and the daughter of the renowned internationalist, Che Guevara.
- Hafid Derradji, an Algerian sports journalist.
- Manuel Pineda, a Spanish member of the European Parliament.
- Moeen Shreif, a Lebanese artist.
- Hussain Al Akraff, a Bahraini artist.
- Tushar Gandhi, an Indian writer and the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Ghassan Ben Jeddou, a Tunisian journalist and chairman of Al Mayadeen TV network.
Exclusive Interviews with Al-Manar
Interviewed by Al-Manar, Mandla Mandela highlighted how the Palestinian people inspired his grandfather in his struggle for freedom.
Mandela also underlined the importance of relating the experience between Palestinian people and the African people.
Talking to Al-Manar, Tushar Gandhi warned that forms of violence have been spreading across the world, noting that his grandfather, Mahatma Gandhi, had inspired people across the world.
Member of European Parliament, Manuel Pineda, who was chosen to be one of the honorees, also spoke to our website, saying:
For his part, Mick Napier, the Head of Scotland’s Palestine Solidarity Campaign, told Al-Manar about the European double standards and the need for more solidarity with Palestinians.
Tim Anderson, the Australian academic and activist, also spoke to our website, highlighting the right to resist.
A pin with the picture of the martyred General Qassem Suleimani, the head of the IRGC’s Al-Quds Force, on Anderson’s shirt caught our attention and drove us to inquire about it:
Speaking to Al-Manar, Feroze Mithiborwala, an Indian activist who devotes his efforts principally to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and Western imperialism in Asia, criticized the western hegemony and indicated that ‘Israel’ will no longer exist:
It’s worth noting that Mithiborwala has led a humanitarian convoy that travelled from India to Gaza in the winter of 2010–11.
Strengthening Solidarity with Palestine
The concept of the “Return Ambassador to Palestine,” as defined by the Global Campaign to Return to Palestine, aims to strengthen solidarity with Palestine and leverage global opportunities to raise public awareness about the rights of the Palestinian people and their just cause.
The campaign emphasizes that the designation of “Return Ambassador” is bestowed upon a group of internationally renowned figures known for their unwavering support for the Palestinian cause. These ambassadors actively engage in various international and local forums, alongside the Global Campaign to Return to Palestine, to advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people.
During the initial day of the meeting, the “Return Ambassadors to Palestine” visited Palestinian refugee homes in the Burj Al-Barajneh camp, where they were greeted warmly by the local population. The ambassadors reiterated on Sunday the Palestinians’ right to return and the liberation of Palestine from the river to the sea.
Challenges
On the second day of the International Meeting of Return Ambassadors, the inaugural session that was held Monday morning, titled “Challenges and Prospects of Solidarity Work with Palestine,” took place. The second session delved into the challenges and prospects associated with supporting Palestine, along with discussing the “Return Ambassador” project.
Speaking at the “International Forum of Ambassadors of Return to Palestine” in Beirut, Aleida Che Guevara expressed her disappointment that the world is still discussing the return to Palestine, rather than focusing on development projects for those who have already returned. She passionately emphasized the urgent need for a Palestinian return and highlighted the world’s seeming indifference to the crimes committed by the Zionists. Aleida called upon everyone to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, stating their unwavering commitment to the struggle for liberation.
ابنة المناضل الأممي تشي غيفارا ” آليدا تشي غيفارا”خلال “الملتقى الدولي لسفراء العودة إلى فلسطين” في بيروت : يجرحني أننا لازلنا في طور العودة إلى فلسطين، في حين كان يجب علينا أن نكون اليوم في مرحلة التحدث عن مشاريع للتنمية لشعب قد عاد لفلسطين؛ نطالب بالعودة إلى فلسطين، لأن العالم… pic.twitter.com/KA5eykgukb
— الحملة العالمية للعودة إلى فلسطين – GCRP (@return_ar) May 29, 2023
This three-day meeting witnessed the participation of political, sports, and artistic personalities, as well as influential individuals from 24 countries. Its primary objective was to solidify the presence of the Palestinian cause in the international arena, across various fields and geographical regions.
In anticipation of the meeting, the campaign displayed welcoming banners for the esteemed guests in the streets of Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, a huge one was held on Beirut’s Airport highway.
The Global Campaign to Return to Palestine consistently organizes honorary and solidarity events in support of the Palestinian cause. These events aim to firmly establish the campaign’s presence on the international stage, encompassing all fields and geographical areas.
Source: Al-Manar English Website
