Rights groups urge global action against Israeli occupation, atrocities

On the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, local and international organizations have called on the world community to step up its efforts to end Israeli apartheid and allow Palestinians to return back to their ancient homes.

According to Press TV, in a statement marking the occasion, the Palestinian Return Center (PRC) said that the annual commemoration comes amid alarming heightened Israeli aggression against Palestinians.

The center said, “Escalating Israeli crimes include mass collective punishment, mass demolitions, ethnic cleansing, settler attacks, and ongoing campaigns to criminalize any form of solidarity with Palestine must come to an end.”

It added that this year’s observance is a reminder of the fact that Palestinians are treated as second-class citizens and are deprived of their basic rights, highlighting the right to return of all Palestinian refugees in exile across the world.

Meanwhile, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association said 96 local, regional and international organizations supporting Palestinian political prisoners are calling for an end to the Israeli apartheid’s arbitrary policies and rapid use of the policy of detention without charge or trial.

In turn, Hamas, the Palestinian resistance movement, said Palestinians are standing steadfast in face of Israeli occupation and violence, and the free people of the world’s support for and solidarity with Palestine is on the rise.

“There is no legitimacy or sovereignty for the Israeli occupation over occupied Palestine, and liberating it is a responsibility that falls not only on the Palestinian people, but also on the Arab and Islamic Ummah and the free people of the world,” the statement read.

Hamas said, “The world has demonstrated solidarity with Palestinians this year at Qatar 2022 World Cup and emphasized their rejection to any form of normalization with the Israeli regime.”

ME