Palestinians celebrate with portraits of Palestinian leaders Yasser Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas during a rally in West Bank city of Nablus, on Sept. 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Rallies were held in several cities across the West Bank on Tuesday to celebrate the Western recognition of the State of Palestine and to show solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip.

Hundreds of Palestinians, along with international activists, participated in a rally at Al-Manara Square in Ramallah. People waved Palestinian flags, accompanied by loud chants and music.

A poster hung high read that this event is "in support of Gaza and the prisoners and in rejection of the war of extermination," and "in appreciation of the international positions supporting our people's right to freedom and independence."

Sabri Saidam, member of Fatah's central committee, told Xinhua during the event that it is "a day of jubilation for Palestinians" and Palestinians "respect" the countries that support Palestine.

To end the war in Gaza is "a priority," Saidam said. "We have to engage. We have to stop the war. That's number one. Then engage in the building of Gaza ... We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we are determined. That's our future. This is our identity. That's our dignity."

Luisa Morgantini, a former vice president of the European Parliament, has been on a trip to the West Bank, and she also attended the rally. She told Xinhua that the European recognition is "an important step."

"We feel that Palestine must be free. Palestinians should choose for themselves what they want," Morgantini said. "They are able to build, build their own state."

During the interview, Morgantini urged Western countries to do more for "the Palestinian freedom and self-determination."

France, Britain, Portugal, Australia, and Canada are among Western nations that have recently recognized the State of Palestine in support of a two-state solution. So far, more than 150 UN member states have recognized Palestine.