In partnership with the Decentralized Cooperation Network for Palestine, Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) launched a symbolic event, From Every French City... Light for Palestine. As part of the Palestine Year 2025 initiative, the event was organized with the participation of 11 French municipalities and Palestinian counterparts. The initiative commemorated the 30th anniversary of French-Palestinian decentralized cooperation.
Reflecting a vivid demonstration of international solidarity, the event marked symbolic candlelight vigils in public squares in several French cities, namely, Bobigny, Gennevilliers, Saint-Brieuc, Bondy, Colombes, Poitiers, Bouguenais, Montreuil, Nanterre, Tremblay-en-France and Seine-Saint-Denis’s region. It demonstrated solidarity with Palestinian cities, which face a harsh humanitarian situation due to Israel’s ongoing war and aggression. The event was broadcast live on Zoom and YouTube.
In his opening remarks from the French city of Colombes, APLA President, Abdul Karim al-Zubeidi, stressed that “what Palestinian cities are enduring can no longer be classified as mere military escalation. Rather, it involves a systematic attempt to redefine civil life in Palestine. Cities are being targeted as centres of life. The population are under inhuman political and economic siege without access to life-sustaining resources, including water, medicine and shelter.” Az-Zubeidi stressed that lighting up these cities was not only a symbolic act, but a political and moral message expressing a renewed commitment to solidarity with Palestine.
Al-Zubeidi said that “this event cannot be held without conveying the voice of Gaza. Since 7 October 2023, it has experienced an unprecedented tragic situation amid mass destruction and a tight siege for 18 months in a row. This is one of the cruellest humanitarian disasters in contemporary history.” “These initiatives reignite hope that humanity is still there, that there are those who still believe in the values of justice and stand by the children who are targeted every day,” he added.
Despite all attempts of genocide and dispossession of rights, the Palestinian people do not know despair. Resilience is their permanent slogan. He also stated that LGUs have paid a dear price. During the aggression, five Palestinian mayors were killed. While service infrastructure has been systematically targeted, dozens of LGU mayors and members in the West Bank continue to be held in Israeli prisons.
Highlighting the situation of Palestinian prisoners, Az-Zubeidi said that practices and violations against prisoners surpass the brutality in the most notorious detention centres worldwide, including Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo. He further stressed that these crimes were committed systematically in the absence of oversight and accountability. According to Az-Zubeidi, this event took on deeper significance as it coincided with the Palestinian Prisoner Day, which falls on 7 April. This is an emblem of national struggle, emphasising resilience of thousands of Palestinian prisoners in the face of oppression and deprivation.
Concluding his remarks, Az-Zubeidi openly called on municipalities around the world to take effective action and adopt clear positions. In addition to reviewing their relations with Israeli LGUs, municipalities must promote institutional and public support for Palestinian LGUs and scale up pressure within decentralized cooperation networks. This should contribute to supporting Palestinian city resilience and promoting the principles of justice and dignity. “Palestine does not need more silent testimonies, but clear partnerships and bold positions. The light ignited by French cities reaches and restores dignity to humanity in a scene where justice is absent,” Az-Zubeidi resolved.
APLA stressed that this initiative comes at a pivotal moment as the aggression against the Gaza Strip and oppressive policies in the West Bank are on the rise. It marks a milestone in the efforts to broaden international solidarity. It highlights the key role played by municipalities and LGUs in defending legitimate rights, safeguarding human dignity, and realising self-determination, while respecting international law and adhering to the values of justice.