RAMALLAH, Thursday, November 11, 2021 – President Mahmoud Abbas today laid a wreath at Yasser Arafat’s mausoleum in Ramallah, marking the 17th anniversary of the late iconic leader’s passing.

President Abbas placed the wreath in honor of Arafat in the presence of Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, as well as members of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Executive Committee, the Fatah Central Committee, the Fatah Revolutionary Council, and several ministers.

In a televised speech on Wednesday, President Abbas said that “this anniversary comes as our just national cause is going through a very delicate stage, perhaps the most difficult in our history of struggle.”

He added: “It is neither reasonable nor acceptable for the occupation to continue suffocating us forever, and it is not reasonable for us to remain committed to agreements that Israel does not abide by.”

Fatah has launched an extensive program to commemorate the anniversary, including central ceremonies, marches, sit-ins, and photo exhibitions. The main event is being held at the Arafat Memorial in Ramallah, with additional activities planned across the occupied territories and in the diaspora.