Final Statement Issued by the Sixth Conference of the Union of Palestinian Communities and Institutions in Europe

Under the slogan “Together we confront genocide, support resistance, and build bridges for return”, the Sixth Conference of the Union of Palestinian Communities and Institutions in Europe was held in the Spanish capital, Madrid. The conference concluded with the issuance of its final statement, the full text of which reads as follows:

Madrid, 14–15 November 2025

The conference was held in an atmosphere of high national responsibility, coinciding with the ongoing aggression against Gaza and the escalation of occupation crimes in the West Bank and Jerusalem. This gave its proceedings a historic and struggle-oriented character that reflects the magnitude of the challenges facing our people in the homeland and the diaspora.

At the outset, the conference paid tribute to the masses of our Palestinian people everywhere; to our steadfast people in the Gaza Strip, who have been facing a systematic war of extermination for more than two years; to the resilience of the West Bank in the face of settler attacks, rising aggression, Judaization, and settlement expansion; to Jerusalem, subjected to systematic targeting and violations of its holy sites; and to our people in the occupied Palestinian interior (occupied territories of 1948), who continue to face repressive and discriminatory policies. The conference also saluted Palestinian communities worldwide, especially in Europe, for their continued efforts in defending the rights of the Palestinian people and supporting the international solidarity movement.

The conference extends its deepest pride in the martyrs of our people, who have watered the soil of the homeland with their pure blood; in the heroic prisoners held in the occupation’s jails; and in the wounded who have endured suffering in defense of Palestine’s dignity and the right of its people to return, freedom, and independence.

It further paid tribute to activists and solidarity movements around the world, especially in Europe, who stood by the Palestinian people and contributed to confronting the war of extermination and the crimes of the occupation.

In its discussions, the conference stressed the importance of urging the international community to work toward ending the occupation of Palestinian territories, as this constitutes a grave violation of international law, including attempts to impose a new reality on the Gaza Strip. It also called on the international community to fulfill its legal responsibilities in accordance with international law, including ending the blockade on Gaza, opening the Rafah crossing, and allowing all humanitarian aid to enter without restrictions or conditions.

The conference affirmed that relief operations must be managed exclusively by Palestinian institutions and United Nations agencies, rejecting any intervention by bodies run by the occupation or foreign powers.

The Union reaffirmed its full support for Palestinian national unity and stressed that the governance and internal affairs of the Gaza Strip are purely Palestinian matters, free from external interference or guardianship.

The conference reiterated the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, freedom, and independence.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to confronting normalization with the occupation and resisting Israeli interference in European affairs. It emphasized the necessity of cutting all political, military, economic, and cultural ties with the Zionist entity, including academic and economic boycotts.

Participants discussed ways to support the steadfastness of our people in their land, mechanisms to confront occupation crimes in European forums, and the strengthening of the Palestinian role in Europe on political, media, and legal levels.

The conference reviewed the Union’s performance since the previous conference and evaluated past decisions. It also elected a new General Secretariat headed by Dr. Salah Zaqout. A national action program was approved, outlining executive tasks for the coming period aimed at strengthening Palestinian presence in Europe and supporting the struggle of our people for freedom and return, adopting a strategic framework for the next stage.

The conference reaffirmed its commitment to:

1. Confronting the crime of genocide in the Gaza Strip and its consequences through all means of struggle.
2. Commitment to confront normalization with the occupation and resisting Israeli interference in European affairs.
3. The need to continue its efforts to sever all military and political ties with the Zionist entity and impose an economic, cultural, and academic boycott of the Zionist occupation.
4. It renewed its commitment to continuing the struggle across European arenas in defense of justice and freedom.
5. Expanding its presence and influence in support of the steadfastness of our people.
6. Intensifying efforts to hold the Israeli occupation authorities —at all political and military levels—accountable and ensuring justice for the victims of the Palestinian people, as well as ending the suffering caused by the crime of genocide.

Union of Palestinian Communities and Institutions in Europe
Madrid – 16 November 2025