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Palestinian National Council: Proclamation of the Independence of Palestine

Palestinian National Council

Proclamation of the Independence of Palestine

(Excerpts)

Gaza, 1 October 1948

Acting on the basis of the natural and historic right of the Arab people of Palestine to freedom and independence a right for which they have shed the noblest blood and for which they have fought against the imperialistic forces, which, together with Zionism, have combined to […] prevent them from enjoying that right,

We, members of the Palestinian National Council, meeting in the city of Gaza, proclaim on this day, the 28th of Dhi al-Qi'da, 1367 (A.H.), corresponding to October 1st, 1948, the full independence of the whole of Palestine as bounded by Syria and Lebanon from the north, by Syria and Transjordan from the east, by the Mediterranean from the west, and by Egypt from the south, as well as the establishment of a free and democratic sovereign State. In this (State), citizens will enjoy their liberties and their rights, and (this State) will march forward, in a fraternal spirit, side by side with its sister Arab States, in order to build up Arab glory and to serve human civilization. (In doing this, they) will be inspired by the spirit of the nation and its glorious history, and will resolve to maintain and defend its independence. May God bear witness to what we say.

 

Source: Muhammad Khalil, ed. The Arab States and the Arab League. Beirut: Khayats, 1962, p. 579.