SHAFAQNA (International Shia News Association)- Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged continued support for Palestinians’ legitimate right to establish an independent state.
“Russia has consistently advocated in favor of the earliest execution of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians for establishment of an independent, contiguous and viable state,” Putin said in a letter sent to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on Saturday.
“We believe that Palestine’s acquisition of national sovereignty on the common international legal base will be an important factor in ensuring comprehensive, just settlement in the Middle East,” he added.
Russian Ambassador to Palestine Alexander Rudakov delivered the letter to Secretary-General of the Palestinian Presidency Al-Tayeb Abdul Rahim.
The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is observed annually on November 29 since 1977.
Palestinians are seeking to create an independent state on the territories of the West Bank, East al-Quds (Jerusalem), and the besieged Gaza Strip and are demanding that Israel withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories.
In November 2012, the United Nations General Assembly voted to upgrade Palestine’s status at the UN from “non-member observer entity” to “non-member observer state” despite strong opposition from Israel and the US.
The upgrade allows the Palestinians to participate in debates at the UN General Assembly and improve their chances of joining UN agencies and the International Criminal Court where they could file complaints against Israel.