29th November is designated as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People by the United Nations. It is in accordance with General Assembly mandates contained in resolutions 32/40 B of 2 December 1977, 34/65 D of 12 December 1979, and subsequent resolutions adopted under agenda item ‘Question of Palestine.’
To observe this day, a number of events are organised at the United Nations headquarters in New York, as well as at the United Nations offices in Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi.
But there’s a reason why November 29 was particularly chosen. It is so because this day is very important and significant to the Palestinian people. On this very day, back in 1947 resolution 181 (II) was adopted by the General Assembly. Let’s delve into what exactly is resolution 181 (II).
Resolution 181 (II) :
A special proposal by the United Nations, which recommended a partition of Mandatory Palestine at the end of the British Mandate, was known as the united Nations Partition Plan for Palestine. It was on 29 November 1947 that the UN General Assembly adopted the Plan as Resolution 181 (II).
Recommendations of the resolution:
- Creation of independent Arab and Jewish States and a Special International Regime for the city of Jerusalem.
- The partition plan attached to the resolution provided for the termination of the Mandate.
- The progressive withdrawal of British armed forces.
- Delineation of boundaries between the two States and Jerusalem.
- Mandate would be terminated as soon as possible.
- The United Kingdom would withdraw no later than 1 August 1948.
- The new states would come into existence two months after the withdrawal, but no later than 1 October 1948.
- Economic Union between the proposed states.
- Protection of religious and minority rights.