The Executive Director of the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA), Eng. Abdallah Anati, stated that despite the escalating attacks by the Israeli occupation and its settlers against all aspects of life in Palestine, Palestinian municipalities and village councils continue to stand at the forefront of national institutions, mobilizing all their resources to defend Palestinian national rights.
The statement was made during the launch activities of the Solidarity Week with Palestine, organized by Barcelona City Council and institutions across Catalonia, as part of the Catalan – Palestinian Municipalities Initiative, D11: Palestinian Cities. The event was attended by the mayors of Jericho, Salfit, Sourif, Al-Zababdeh and Dura, representatives of municipal councils and staff from participating municipalities, members of the Palestinian community in Barcelona, and solidarity supporters of the Palestinian people.
Eng. Anati commenced his remarks by condemning the systematic and escalating attacks carried out by settlers against the Palestinian people, particularly those targeting farmers and landowners during the olive harvest season. He noted that these attacks extend to all aspects of Palestinian life and have not spared representatives of the international community and diplomats in Palestine. He stressed the importance of advocating for the Palestinian cause and supporting the rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the right to live in dignity and to access and protect their land.
Anati reiterated that Palestinian local government units (LGUs) operate under complex political and humanitarian conditions, amid the ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip and the widespread destruction and humanitarian suffering it has caused, alongside restrictions on citizens’ movement and their access to land and resources across Palestinian areas. These circumstances further exacerbate the challenges facing LGUs, restricting their ability to respond to their communities’ needs and fulfil their development and service-delivery responsibilities.
He expressed APLA’s appreciation for the efforts undertaken by the Province of Catalonia, particularly Barcelona Provincial Council and Barcelona City Council, in supporting Palestine and strengthening solidarity with its people. He noted that the initiative represents a practical step towards translating solidarity into tangible partnerships between municipalities, creating opportunities to expand cooperation and exchange expertise while strengthening the international visibility of the Palestinian cause.
Anati also reaffirmed APLA’s commitment to consolidating and sustaining the partnership between the Palestinian and Catalan peoples over the long term, reflecting the depth of solidarity between them. Such a partnership, he noted, creates broader opportunities for Palestinian LGUs to showcase and share their experiences, expertise and the distinctive assets of their communities with their counterparts and the international community, strengthening their role in local development despite the challenges they face.
Anati concluded his remarks by affirming that Palestine belongs to the Palestinian people and that this land will remain the home of those deeply rooted in it, steadfast in their attachment to their land, national identity, heritage and legacy, despite the challenges and attempts to undermine their presence and connection to their homeland. He emphasized that the Palestinian people’s resilience and unwavering attachment to their land and identity symbolize the story of the indigenous Palestinian people, whose generations pass down their love of the land and sense of belonging.
Palestinians, he affirmed, will remain on their land for as long as thyme and olive trees endure—symbols of authenticity, rootedness and resilience.
As part of APLA’s participation in the launch event, the Association presented a video entitled “Stories from Our Municipalities”, produced in partnership with the municipalities of Jericho, Salfit, Sourif, Al-Zababdeh and Dura. The video highlights the richness of Palestinian cities and towns and the distinctiveness of their communities through stories that reflect their attachment to their identity, heritage and cultural traditions, as well as their resilience in the face of challenges. It also showcases aspects of the participating municipalities’ efforts and achievements in advancing local economic and social development.
This participation forms part of APLA’s ongoing efforts to represent Palestinian LGUs at the regional and international levels, defend their rights and interests, and strengthen the visibility of their issues and priorities in international dialogue and cooperation. It falls within the framework of the Catalan–Palestinian Municipalities Initiative, D11: Palestinian Cities, implemented by APLA in partnership with Barcelona Provincial Council (DIBA) and Barcelona City Council (BCN), with the Solidarity Week with Palestine forming one of its activities.
The initiative aims to strengthen international solidarity and advocacy, develop cooperation between Palestinian and Catalan municipalities, facilitate the exchange of expertise and experiences, highlight the identity and assets of Palestinian cities, and broaden opportunities for municipal partnerships and cooperation.
