Palestinian Declaration of Independence
The Palestinian Declaration of Independence formally established the State of Palestine, and was written by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish and proclaimed by Yasser Arafat on 15 November 1988 in Algiers, Algeria. It had previously been adopted by the Palestinian National Council (PNC), the legislative body of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), by a vote of 253 in favour, 46 against, and 10 abstaining. It was read at the closing session of the 19th PNC to a standing ovation. Upon completing the reading of the declaration, Arafat, as Chairman of the PLO, assumed the title of President of Palestine. In April 1989, the PLO Central Council elected Arafat as the first President of the State of Palestine.
Pope Francis in Palestine
Mahmoud Darwish was a Palestinian poet and author who was regarded as Palestine's national poet.
Darwish at Bethlehem University (2006)
Mahmoud Darwish, Palestinian National Poet, Pen and Ink Portrait by Amitabh Mitra
Yasser Arafat, Mahmoud Darwish & George Habash (pictured in 1980)
Mahmoud Darwish Portrait.