On Monday, November 11, 2024, the Yasser Arafat Foundation marked the 20th anniversary of the martyrdom of the founding leader Yasser Arafat. The commemoration took place at his tomb in Ramallah, with the attendance of members from the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the Central Committee of Fatah, the Revolutionary Council of Fatah, various ministers, religious and security leaders, and the Foundation’s staff, along with a large crowd of supporters.

This year’s commemoration coincides with the ongoing genocidal war against the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza committed by the Israeli occupation.

On behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas, Fatah Vice President Mahmoud al-Aloul delivered a speech, recalling Arafat’s exceptional leadership and role in leading the Palestinian revolution. Al-Aloul emphasized that Arafat’s martyrdom occurred at a time when the Palestinian people were enduring a brutal Israeli assault, particularly in Gaza. He stressed the need to revive the values and qualities of Yasser Arafat especially faith in the inevitability of victory, loyalty to those who stood by Palestine, and the importance of national unity, which Arafat fiercely championed.

He further vowed that the Palestinian people would remain committed to Arafat’s ideals, continuing the struggle for justice, freedom, and the right to an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. Al-Aloul also reaffirmed the Palestinian commitment to resist occupation and defend national rights.

Dr. Ahmad Soboh, Chairman of the Yasser Arafat Foundation, welcomed the attendees and described the location near Arafat’s tomb as symbolic of his final battle. He highlighted Arafat’s ultimate sacrifice for Palestine, noting that, after over 402 days of brutal Israeli occupation aggression and nearly 44,000 martyrs, 103,000 wounded, and more than 10,000 missing, including massacres and starvation in Gaza, the international community has not pressured Israeli occupation to halt its lethal actions against Palestinians or make the U.S. administration, the partner in the genocide, to reconsider sending its deadly weapons to kill our people.

Dr. Soboh reaffirmed the unity of the Palestinian people across all regions and stressed that the ultimate goal is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. He also pointed out the ongoing threats facing the Palestinian cause, from Israeli military aggression to settlement expansion, while asserting that the Palestinian people would continue to stand firm in their resistance.

He emphasized several lessons from Arafat’s legacy: first, the importance of upholding Palestinian national rights, including ending the occupation and achieving full sovereignty; second, the necessity of national unity for resilience and eventual victory; third, the central goal is to stop the aggression and ensure Palestinian rights are recognized on the global stage; and fourth, the PLO remains the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, and the issue of Palestinian prisoners should be a priority.

Mohammad Baraka, Chairman of the Higher Follow-up Committee of Arab Citizens also spoke, reminding the audience that Arafat’s legacy is not merely for commemoration but for reaffirming loyalty to a leader who revived the Palestinian national identity after the Nakba (the 1948 Palestinian exodus) and restored attention to Palestinians in the occupied interior. He emphasized that despite twenty years of absence, Arafat’s memory and the struggle for freedom remain more vital.

Wasil Abu Yusuf, a member of the PLO Executive Committee, also reflected on Arafat’s legacy, stressing the importance of unity in the face of ongoing Israeli war crimes and the necessity of continuing the struggle for Palestinian freedom and independence. He pointed out that Arafat’s vision of a free and sovereign Palestine remains alive, despite the enormous challenges.

The ceremony included the laying of wreaths on Arafat’s tomb by leaders, ministers, security officials, and members of the Yasser Arafat Foundation followed by a reading of Al-Fatiha (the opening chapter of the Qur'an) in honor of Arafat and all Palestinian martyrs.

In light of the ongoing genocidal aggression in Gaza and the West Bank, this year’s commemoration was a more somber event, focusing on a moment of reflection and tribute to Arafat’s enduring legacy. Additionally, the Foundation announced the recipient of the 2024 Yasser Arafat Achievement Award, which was given to the medical team working in Gaza, particularly at Al-Ahli Arab (Baptist) Hospital, for their continued humanitarian efforts under the harsh conditions of the Israeli occupation siege and airstrikes.

This year’s events were a reminder of both the continuing struggle for Palestinian rights and the deep-rooted legacy of Yasser Arafat, whose memory continues to inspire the Palestinian people.