PRETORIA, On behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas, Palestine’s Ambassador to South Africa Hanan Jarrar bestowed today the Grand Star of the Order of Jerusalem on the South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor.
The Grand Star of the Order of Jerusalem is the second highest level of Order awarded by the President of the State of Palestine to the Heads of Government, Ministers, Envoys and others of similar standing.
Speaking at an event in Pretoria commemorating the 45th United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Ambassador Jarrar expressed gratitude on behalf of the Palestinian people and political leadership for South Africa’s support and solidarity with Palestine, commending Minister Pandor’s diplomat, political, intellectual and humanitarian qualities and her commitment to the values of justice, equality and peace.
She said the decision of President Mahmoud Abbas to award Minister Pandor the Grand Star of the Order of Jerusalem is based on the fact that she completes Nelson Mandela’s march of solidarity with the justice of our cause, and her recognition of Israel as an apartheid state.
In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) called for the observance of the 29th of November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The 29th of November is the same date on which the Assembly adopted a resolution on the partition of Palestine.
Source: Palestine News & Info Agency