Independence Day

Palestinians celebrated Independence Day last Tuesday. On November 15, 1988, the Palestinian National Council met in exile in Algiers and declared independence. Every year, on Nov. 15, Palestinian ministries close, along with schools, banks and universities. But, of course, despite the declaration, there is no independent Palestine, so there is no official celebration, and for most Palestinians, it is a day to rest at home or go shopping.

At Birzeit University, on the day after Independence Day, students wore traditional black-and-white checkered headdresses in honor of Yasser Arafat, the founder and leader of the Palestinian national cause until his death last year, a few days before Independence Day.

On the poster above, it is written, “Farewell, Abu Amar.” Abu Amar was Arafat’s nom de guerre.