By, Usama Nicola, Bethlehem, Palestine
November 29th marks the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, a day meant to remind the world of the inalienable rights of Palestinians, rights that are still denied to us. This date, chosen by the United Nations to commemorate Resolution 181 of 1947, calls for the partition of Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. Over the years, this decision has come to symbolize the beginning of an ongoing injustice that continues to affect the lives of millions of Palestinians, including myself, living under occupation in the West Bank. Today, as the world marks the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, let it be a day not just of words, but of action. Let it be a day when the global community renews its commitment to ending the occupation, supporting our right to self-determination, and working toward a just and lasting peace.
We have been living with this injustice for decades, and I often find myself asking: Until when? How much longer must we endure this occupation? How much longer must we witness the continued displacement of our people, the destruction of our homes, and the dehumanization of our communities? What we want is not sympathy or charity; what we demand is justice.
For Palestinians, November 29th is not just a symbolic day. It is a painful reminder of the unresolved question of our future. While the state of Israel was established and recognized, the Palestinian people have been left to face a brutal and unending struggle for our rights, Rights to our land, rights to our freedom, and above all, rights to our dignity.
The United Nations marks this day to reaffirm international solidarity with the Palestinian people and our inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination and the right to an independent state. Yet, where is the action to back this solidarity? Where is the genuine commitment from the international community to hold those responsible for the occupation accountable? Where are the concrete steps toward a just and lasting peace?
In moments like these, I return to the call echoed in the Kairos Palestine document, drawing on Isaiah 1:17: “Learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed.” In Arabic, this verse is usually rendered as «انْصِفُوا الْمَظْلُوم» insifū al-maẓlūm a phrase that carries the sense of “give justice to,” “restore the rights of,” and “stand with the one who has been wronged.” In the full flow of the biblical passage, Isaiah calls the community not only to personal righteousness but to structural responsibility: “learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow.” It is a sequence of actions that names injustice, protects the vulnerable, and confronts the powerful. For us as Palestinians, “rescue” is not abstract language. It speaks to the daily struggle to protect our dignity and humanity under occupation, and it challenges the world to move beyond symbolic solidarity toward justice that repairs and restores what has been taken.
It is hard to celebrate the idea of solidarity when, day after day, we are subjected to violence, collective punishment, and an unrelenting cycle of oppression. This day should serve as a moment of reflection for the world, but it also serves as a painful reminder of the stark reality we continue to live in. Solidarity must go beyond words. We are not asking for charity or empty gestures. We are asking for what is rightfully ours, a free and independent Palestine.
As I sit here in the West Bank, I think of all the countless generations before me who have lived and died under occupation. I think of the families whose homes have been demolished, the children who have grown up knowing nothing but fear, the elderly who have seen their hopes for peace dashed over and over again. This is not just my struggle; it is the struggle of every Palestinian. And it is a struggle for justice, not revenge.
So, until when? How much longer must we endure this suffering? The answer lies in the will of the international community and in the courage of our people. We will not forget, and we will not give up. We will continue to demand justice, because that is what we deserve.
For how long will we live like this? As long as we are denied justice. And we will keep fighting for it—until we are free.
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About the Author
Usama is a Palestinian civil society activist, husband, and father of three, rooted in the ancient and resilient city of Bethlehem. He brings together his love for people, justice, and faith in everything he does. His writing flows from the lived realities of Palestinians under occupation, grounded in both hope and heartbreak, and carried by a deep commitment to human dignity and spiritual reflection.
Bethlehem the city where heaven met earth is not only Usama’s birthplace, but also the heart of his mission. For him, it is a sacred place where history, struggle, and faith meet; a city that teaches him daily about rootedness, resistance, and radical love. His stories rise from this soil, offering readers an invitation to listen deeply, reflect honestly, and act justly.
Through his Patreon page, Usama shares regular reflections, updates from Bethlehem, and spiritual insights, building a global circle of solidarity and learning. His hope is to warm hearts, challenge comfort, and remind people everywhere that even in places of sorrow, life still grows.
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