JOHANNESBURG, The Pan African Parliament (PAP), in what has been described as a step in the right direction for the recognition of Palestine’s self-determination, has granted the territory observer status and endorsed a motion to support Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike while currently detained in Israeli prisons.

The Middle East conflict continues in Israel and its neighbouring Palestine and Palestinian activists fighting for self-determination have embarked on a hunger strike since April 17 to force Israel to release them from detention.

The PAP has now followed the African Union (AU) by granting the territory observer status, a move welcomed by the Palestinians as positive news for their course.

It was a strong platform to deliver a message to the occupiers that the international community, particularly Africa, will not accept the occupation, will support self-determination and the freedom for the people, says Palestinian Ambassador to South Africa Hashem Dajani.

Members of the Pan African Parliament, which is in session here, are hopeful the gesture will go a long way in their support for eventual independence for the Palestinians. It’s a victory, but most of all, we consider it a double victory because we as Tunisian delegation, the MP’s took an initiative to present a motion to support the Palestinian prisoners in Israel, says Tunisian Ambassador Narjes Dridi.

The head of the South African delegation, Dr Hunadi Mateme, said Palestinians must be free. While we support granting of observer status to the Palestine, they must be free, they must be able to come up with their own policies, their own Constitution, whatever governance system they want. This cannot happen while some of them are in prison.

Dr Mateme was optimistic that though it might take a while, Palestine, as South Africa did in 1994, would soon join the nations of the world as a free nation.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK