In the presence of members residing in Palestine and via video conference for members abroad, the Yasser Arafat Foundation’s Board of Trustees held its 16th annual meeting on Monday, August 4, 2025, at the Foundation’s Al-Muntada Hall in the Yasser Arafat Museum. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Mamdouh Al-Abadi and attended by Vice President Hussein Al-Sheikh, representing H.E. President Mahmoud Abbas.
The Chair welcomed participants and reaffirmed the strength of the Palestinian position, supported by Arab and international partners, in the face of Israel’s ongoing war of genocide, particularly in Gaza.
Vice President Al-Sheikh conveyed President Abbas’s greetings, reaffirming his support for the Foundation and the appreciation of the Palestinian leadership for the firm Arab and international solidarity. He emphasized the urgent need to end aggression, reject forced displacement, ensure the flow of humanitarian aid, and implement international resolutions to end the occupation and establish an independent State of Palestine on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Board reviewed and approved the Executive Board’s report presented by Dr. Ahmad Soboh, adopted the external auditor’s report, and approved the Foundation’s upcoming programs and activities. Political interventions by members emphasized the urgency of addressing the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.
Final Declaration:
In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
As the genocidal war against our people continues, and on the anniversary of the birth of President Yasser Arafat, the Board of Trustees held its 16th meeting at the late President’s museum. The Board honored the martyrs, wished recovery to the wounded, and freedom for the prisoners.
The Board reaffirmed the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to the legacy and oath of the late leader Yasser Arafat and its dedication to passing on his legacy to future generations through meaningful programs and initiatives.
The central pillar of our national struggle today is to end the aggression, halt the genocide, reject displacement, resist occupation and settlement expansion, and realize our independence through a sovereign Palestinian state. Achieving this requires unity under the umbrella of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
The rapid expansion of illegal settlements, settler violence, and escalating incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque—including the performance of Talmudic rituals—represent a grave existential threat to our people. We call for unity in confronting these dangerous acts and urge the Arab and Islamic nations to defend Palestine, Jerusalem, and its holy sites.
The policy of starvation, siege, and ongoing killing in Gaza is a moral and legal disgrace for the international system. Double standards have enabled the continued destruction and displacement. We salute the people around the world standing in solidarity with Palestine and value the growing international recognition of the State of Palestine. We call for concrete follow-up on the outcomes of the New York conference on the two-state solution and urge more countries to recognize Palestine and take punitive measures against the occupying state.
We acknowledge the key role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we deeply appreciate the support of Jordan and Egypt in defending Palestinian rights and preventing displacement.
The Board urges the Arab and Islamic world to support Jerusalem and Gaza and to strengthen the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land. We call for the provision of an Arab financial safety net for the Palestinian National Authority and urge nations to reassess their international relations in light of the ongoing genocide and the complicity of those who arm and shield the occupation.
We also appeal to international judicial bodies—particularly the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court—to expedite proceedings on cases related to genocide and war crimes. We emphasize the crucial role of UNRWA and the need to resist coordinated Israeli-American efforts to dismantle it, especially amid the destruction of refugee camps aimed at forcibly displacing our people.
The Yasser Arafat Foundation remains fully engaged in all national efforts resisting occupation, firmly grounded in Palestinian national principles, Arab solidarity, and international legitimacy. Despite immense challenges, we are committed to achieving our people's right to independence and statehood on the entirety of the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital.
Glory to the martyrs,
Healing to the wounded,
Freedom to the prisoners,
