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‘Free people affirm that resistance is not merely a temporary reaction, but a way of life based on faith in justice, solidarity and a determination to triumph.’ Caracas declaration
By SAYDOON NISA SAYED
A SOUTH AFRICAN delegation joined others from 52 countries in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, to mark the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
They were in Caracas for the solidarity day on November 29 which dovetailed with an international conference from November 28 to December 1. The theme was ‘From Venezuela to Palestine: We Shall Survive and We Shall Triumph’.
With the full support of the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, the conference was hosted by the country’s foreign minister, Yván Gil Pinto.
Among the prominent guests were the former Member of the European Parliament for Spain and head of international relations of the Spanish Communist party, Manuel Pineada, the president of the Simón Bolívar Institute for Peace and Solidarity, Carlos Ron, and the Venezuelan Attorney-General, Tarek William Saab.
Palestinian icon, Leila Khaled, was the guest of honour.
South Africa was represented by Muhammad Desai of Afria4Palestine, Naeem Patel of the South African Friends of Palestine, and Saydoon Nisa Sayed, who was the KwaZulu-Natal Palestine Solidarity Forum and the South Africa-Palestine Movement representative.
The first day’s proceedings saw the unveiling of a photography exhibition, ‘A Year of Genocide, a Year of Resistance, which documented the crimes committed against the Palestinian people and highlighted their resistance and ongoing struggle.
The opening speeches emphasised the importance of global solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
President Maduro, welcomed each participating country by name and in his opening address reiterated Venezuela’s bold position on Palestine which he had stated on October 7, 2024, marking the first anniversary of Operation al-Aqsa flood: ‘Palestine is the homeland of humanity. Just as we defend our land, Venezuela, our Bolivarian homeland, the most important battle that humanity has is for the liberation of Palestine.’
Caracas has backed South Africa’s legal case at the International Court of Justice to have the Zionist regime charged with genocide. On April 27, 2009, Venezuela officially recognised the State of Palestine and has since supported the Palestinian cause at the United Nations, being the first country in the Americas to do so.
Declaring that ‘all of Venezuela is Palestine’, Maduro added: ‘Do not believe the Zionist criminals from the Tel Aviv gang who act without accountability.’
Highlighting the hypocrisy of the occupation, he declared: ‘The Islamic nations and the Arab world must beware of deceptive diplomacy; after it comes the missiles.’
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Warning of Zionist expansion, he stated: ‘Today, it is Palestine and Lebanon; tomorrow, it will be Syria, Iraq and Jordan.’
As a gesture of gratitude, the Global Campaign to Return to Palestine (GCRP) presented its honorary award to President Maduro in recognition of his efforts and unwavering support for Palestine.
Earlier, the General Coordinator of GCRP, Shaikh Yusuf Abbas, declared in his opening address: ‘Our gathering today on this noble land, from all around the world, is not merely a reaffirmation of our solidarity with the Palestinian people. It is the beginning of a new phase of struggle – a phase where we continue to uphold the humanitarian values we all believe in.’
There were two panel discussions on the opening day. The first one examined the role of popular movements and the media in strengthening solidarity with Palestine and countering the Zionist narrative.
The second panel discussed Zionist ideology as a colonial doctrine aimed at expansion and implementing policies of genocide and displacement.
The first day concluded with a solidarity stand with Palestinian journalists and detainees, denouncing the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The stand delivered a clear message of support for the Palestinian people and opposition to the aggression.
The second day opened with a visit to the tomb of the leader of the Bolivarian Revolution, late President Hugo Chávez, paying tribute to his revolutionary legacy and his unwavering support for just causes, particularly the liberation of Palestine. This visit emphasised that Chávez’s legacy continues to inspire free nations around the world to stand for justice and truth.
The day continued with further conference sessions focussing on enhancing global efforts to support Palestine and further discussions on countering the Zionist narrative.
Pledging continued support and a commitment to strengthen solidarity, the closing declaration from Caracas was that ‘free people affirm that resistance is not merely a temporary reaction, but a way of life based on faith in justice, solidarity and a determination to triumph. “We shall survive and we shall triumph” is not just a slogan; it is a promise renewed today from Venezuela to reach the streets of Palestine and every place suffering under occupation and oppression.’
