The Fifth Global Convention of Solidarity with Palestine, which was organized by the Global Campaign to Return to Palestine in cooperation with the Mandela family, was launched in South Africa on the second of December, and it ended its last day with the participants visiting the memorial to the late freedom fighter President Nelson Mandela in Union Buildings.
International activist known for their striving stances toward just and legitimate issues in the world, the most important of which is the Palestinian issue, participated in the forum, as well as influencers, content makers, and other celebrities on social media. They are known for their support of the Palestinian cause and have a large public audience at the level of the Arab world.
The Convention manifested a message of support and solidarity with the struggle of the Palestinian people to regain their rights, especially the right of return, as it was on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, November 29, 2023, which corresponded with the tenth anniversary of the launching of the Global Campaign to Return to Palestine, and in appreciation of the icon of freedom fighter, president Nelson Mandela, in the anniversary of his passing on December 5.
The Fifth Global Convention of Solidarity with Palestine was held under the title: Nelson Mandela and Palestine: Confronting Racism till Liberation. The forum’s program on its first day included the opening session, which started by a welcoming speech by the host Mr. Mandla Mandela (MP) and Islam Asaliyya (Wounded Palestinian), in addition to speeches by prominent personalities participating from different countries of the world.
On the first day and during the general session, the program included live testimonies from Palestinian figures about the reality of the Palestinian struggle and the brutality of Zionist crimes, in addition to testimony about the struggle against racial discrimination in South Africa.
Then, the participants were divided into three different committees, each depending on their specialty and interest. Topics such as Palestine and International laws, the Media role in the Palestinian cause, and the role of civil organizations were discussed within each committee.
On the second day, the plenary session began, entitled Nelson Mandela and Palestine, and it included lessons from the struggle against apartheid, and the South African experience: struggle until liberation. It included committee reports, and the participants discussed the draft of the final declaration, including interventions and comments from the audience. The closing ceremony included speeches by a number of prominent international figures followed by the recitation of the Final Declaration, followed by patriot songs performed by the Lebanese vocalist and Ambassador of Return, Mr. Moein Shraif.
The Convention concluded its program on the third day with a public stand to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the passing on of the striver, President Nelson Mandela, in Union Buildings. Where a signed copy of the Final Declaration was handed to the minister of office of the President of South Africa.
It is worth noting that since its establishment, GCRP has been holding international conferences in solidarity with the Palestinian people aiming to mobilize global support and solidarity with the Palestinian cause and the right of its people to return to their home land.