Palestinian expatriates recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the start of their revolution here at the country’s consulate.

Those in attendance included Muhammad bin Ahmed Tayeb, director general of the Foreign Ministry’s office in Makkah Region and permanent representative of the Kingdom to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Others who attended included ambassadors, consuls general, diplomats, businesspeople, media representatives and prominent members of the Palestinian community in Jeddah. Prince Sultan bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, Prince Mohammed bin Sultan bin Nasser, and Bandar bin Fahad Al-Fahid, chairman of the Arab Tourism Organization, were also present.

In his opening speech, Consul General of Palestine in Jeddah Imad Shaath said: “We meet here today, in this great country, and on this great occasion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Palestinian revolution.

“We recognize today the passage of half a century since the start of the Palestinian armed struggle, which began when the martyr President Yasser Arafat launched the first shot against the occupying army on Jan. 1, 1965, and remember those who died in the struggle, and others who continue to fight.”

Shaath also thanked the Palestinian people and leadership, led by President Mahmoud Abbas.

Tayeb, in his speech, said the Kingdom would continue to support the Palestinian cause and expatriates living in the country.

He said the Kingdom’s leaders had stood by the Palestinian people and their cause from the country’s founder King Abdulaziz to the current leader, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

“We can say that the Palestinians are approaching the light at the end of the tunnel, and are closer than ever to achieving their dream of living at home on their own blessed land with Jerusalem as its capital,” said Tayeb.

Tayeb was honored during the ceremony with the Memorial Shield. Suad Al-Husseini Al-Juffali was awarded the Golden Medal of Merit and Excellence from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for supporting Arab Child House and Al-Makased Charitable Hospital in Jerusalem, Palestine Hospital in Cairo and many Palestinian students at Palestinian and other universities abroad.

Al-Juffali was also recognized for donating SR7.5 million for the establishment of the Palestinian Museum in Birzeit in cooperation with the Welfare Association. Mohammed bin Aboud Al-Amoudi and Mahmoud Said were also honored for their efforts during the ceremony.

During the event, attendees listened to a reading of a poem by Mahmoud Darwish entitled "On This Earth What Makes Life Worth Living." They also watched a short film about the history of the Palestinian organization, Fatah, and a performance by a Palestinian folk dance group.