The ceremony was also attended by Mr. Sabeeh Al-Masri, An-Najah’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Mr. Ammar Aker, Secretary General of the Award and Executive Director of the PalTel Group Foundation and Professor Maher Natsheh, Acting President of An-Najah.

In its 7^th celebration, the award was given to Sweden as a country of remarkable achievements in humanitarian issues.

Sweden was one of the first countries that recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization and recently recognized the State of Palestine.

Prof. Hamdallah transferred President Abbas’ greetings and thanked the international attendees and those who always support the Palestinian cause. He also talked about Rachel Corrie, the American activist who was Killed by an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) armored bulldozer in a combat zone in Rafah during the 2^nd Palestinian Intifada and the deceased Concepcion Picciotto, peace activist and one who carried on the longest continuous act of political protest in the United States.

Prof. Hamdallah also thanked Mr. Al-Masri, initiator of the award for his support to Palestinian entrepreneurs.

Mr. Al-Masri expressed his delight for holding the 7^th ceremony and said that “despite the difficult circumstances we Palestinians encounter, we always have something to give”.

Mr. Aker pointed out that this year’s award focused on people with disabilities who have achieved excellence in various fields.

At the end of the ceremony, Prof. Hamdallah along with both Mrs. Al-Masri and Aker gave the winners their awards. The people with disabilities category included: Eman Al-Kurd achieving the first place; both Thareef Al-Gharra and Ghassan Abu Duqqa achieving the second place and Hatem Zaqout and Saeda Jad-Allah achieving the third place. As for the distinguished institution category: the Palestinian Vision Organization in Jerusalem achieved the first place whereas both Aisha Association for Woman and Child Protection from the Gaza Strip and the Jasmine Charitable Society in Ramallah achieved the second.

As for the international figures, Ms Ann Nilsson, Swedish Consul General Jerusalem received a plaque on behalf of the Swedish Government and Mr. Don Hutchison received his own.

Notes:

• The Palestine International Award for Excellence and Creativity was initiated by Mr. Al-Masri and directed by the PalTel Group Foundation. It aims at encouraging the organizations operating in the Palestinian Territory as well as administrative and professional staff to develop their performance and improve services, creativity and excellence in initiatives that could support and develop the local community or the national economy, or enhance any sector or segment of our Palestinian society, in a manner that contributes to meeting the demands of our people’s steadfastness and building our independent state. 
• The ceremony also included a short documentary on the winners and other cultural activities performed by Palestinian singers and bans.