Palestinian embassy in Nicosia hosts blood donation event for Gaza

During a blood donation event organised by the Palestinian embassy in Nicosia to commemorate the victims of the conflict in Gaza, Palestinian ambassador Abdallah Attari said the ultimate goal of his people “is to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

The event fell on day recognised by the United Nations as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Hundreds of people made their way to the embassy to donate blood, which is set to be dispatched to Gaza in collaboration with the Red Cross.

Various diplomatic representatives from Arab countries, alongside political figures such as Akel General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou and Greens leader George Perdikis, attended the embassy event.

Speaking during the event, Attari lamented “the necessity for bloodshed to draw attention to the Palestinian cause” and criticised Israel’s dissemination of false news and propaganda, emphasising the escalating global divide between governments and people on this issue.

He highlighted the critical juncture for Palestine, stressing that the establishment of a Palestinian state is imminent and calling for an end to the occupation in Gaza, which he called “the world’s largest prison and mass grave.”

Furthermore, Attari accused Israel of perpetuating ethnic cleansing and genocide in different forms across Palestinian territories.

“Since the Oslo Accords in 1993, illegal Israeli settlement grew from 120,000 to 800,000,” Attari said, before taking a dig at Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“He has shown that he does not care for any UN resolutions. His only ambition is to expand Israel’s territory.”

Attari also dismissed the prospects of Israel engaging in negotiations, deeming it an expansionist power occupying Palestinian lands and parts of neighbouring countries. He called upon the international community to demand the implementation of UN resolutions for a Palestinian state within 1967 borders.

Speaking after the Palestinian ambassador, Akel’s Stefanou also condemned “Israel’s criminal policy towards Palestinians”, likening the situation in Gaza to ethnic cleansing and genocide.

Stefanou urged a global intervention, reminding the audience attending the event that the Cypriot people can empathise with Gaza “having faced invasion and occupation themselves.”

Expressing solidarity with the ongoing struggle of the people in Gaza, the Akel leader reiterated his party’s support in “Palestine’s quest for justice and peace.”

“It is very urgent that the international community understands the gravity of the situation and acts decisively against Israel’s policies,” Stefanou said in his concluding remarks.

Speaking after him, Greens leader Perdikis also underlined the humanitarian necessity of ceasing attacks on civilians, adding that the majority of people around the world are standing with the people of Gaza.