Guard your freedom jealously: Palestine
ZIMBABWE has been an all weather friend to Palestine and her peoples, all the time advocating its freedom from Israeli Occupation. On the occasion of Zimbabwe’s independence, Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Tamer Almassri shares his sentiments below:
Palestine takes pride in the strong relationship between Zimbabwe and itself, which began in the early stages of the Palestinian revolution and liberation movements in Africa in general and Zimbabwe in particular.
The two brotherly peoples share the principles and common thought of rejecting injustice, oppression and colonialism of all kinds.
Zimbabwe and Palestine enjoy good relations, which dates back to the pre-independence era in which Palestine also contributed to the just struggle for the independence of Zimbabwe by offering military training to some of the Zimbabwean freedom fighters in our camps in different countries.
While Zimbabwe attained its independence it is unfortunate that Palestine is still under the brutal apartheid occupation of close to a century.
I want to say to the people of Zimbabwe happy independence and you should guard this freedom jealously and reject neo-colonial machinations.
The state of Palestine rejects economic bullying through illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe which tantamount to collective punishment hindering the people of Zimbabwe to enjoy fully the fruits of their independence.
We are thankful of the government of Zimbabwe for the unwavering support to the people of Palestine.
While we celebrate Zimbabwe’s independence, the Palestinian people will continue with their just struggle to achieve independence with Jerusalem as their capital from the last apartheid occupation of the 21st century.
Palestine has since up-scaled its co-operation with Zimbabwe through the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) which are:
MoU on Diplomatic and Political Consultations.
MoU on Agric and Veterinary Services Cooperation.
MoU on the establishment and operation of cooperative and development programs
MoU on Cooperation in Higher Education and Scientific Research.