The Maharashtra United Nations Association, member of the Indian Federation of UN Associations, collaborated with the United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan (UNIC) and the Indo Arab Society in Mumbai, to host the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. At a ceremony which was presided by the Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Masood E. Khaleghi, and other guests such as Mr. Rafiq Dada, Senior Advocate and Former Additional Solicitor General of India spoke of their experiences and also traced the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Mr. Z. Bandukwala, President of the Indo-Arab Society, Mrs. Mohini Mathur, Executive Chairperson of MUNA, and Mr. A.A. Syed, Secretary-General MUNA, presented their thoughts, while Mr. Ashraf Ahmed Shaikh, Hon. Secretary and Founder President of Maharashtra United Nations Youth Association (MUNYA) kept the programme moving, introducing the speakers and highlighting their background.
“The UN Secretary-General has encouraged leaders on both sides to overcome their differences and dispense with the unilateral initiatives that serve only to fuel mistrust and polarization”, said UNIC Director Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman as she delivered the message of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “The two-state solution, he has emphasized, is the only viable option for a durable peace”, she said. In his message, the SG concluded, “An end of the conflict will only come through a negotiated and a just political solution, based on the relevant United Nations resolutions. The Israeli and Palestinian people face a shared fate on shared land. There is no erasing the other,” he said. “I call on the parties to step back from the brink. The mindless cycle of destruction must end. The virtuous circle of peace must begin”.
UNIC Director presented an exhibit produced especially for this day and people reviewed the panels, which sparked several side discussions based on the materials therein. These discussions moved out of the venue leaving several animated small groups of people. Mrs. Mehra-Kerpelman thanked MUNA officials for making available this opportunity to bring the message of the United Nations to new audiences through its networking.

Article Courtesy - United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan