UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay reaffirmed her commitment to upholding the rights of the Palestinian people and called for boosting inetrnational solidarity with Palestine.

"On this International Day of Solidarity, let us reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rights of the Palestinian people,” Azoulay said in a message marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, commemorated on November 29 of every year,

"These words by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, capture the spirit of the 29 November day of solidarity. It is an opportunity to reaffirm the support of the international community for the Palestinian people in its hopes for a free and peaceful future," she said.

"This call for solidarity is even more necessary today because of the terrible effects of the pandemic on the most vulnerable among us. The health crisis has compounded the already harsh economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people, marked by very high poverty and unemployment rates and a fall in per capita GDP for the third consecutive year."

The UNESCO chief added: "There is then an urgent need to recall that assistance provided by the international community is still vital for the Palestinians and essential to the setting up of resilient, thriving communities.”

"As the context is particularly dire for Palestinian youth, who run the risk of falling behind in matters of education and economic opportunities, UNESCO’s work is based on a conviction and a commitment. The conviction is that young Palestinians hold the keys to becoming agents of peace and mutual understanding."

The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is observed each year on 29 November. Established in 1977, it marks the day in 1947 when the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution partitioning Palestine into an Arab State and a Jewish State.