DILI, 07 October 2025 (TATOLI) – President and Nobel Peace Laureate, Jose Ramos-Horta, has reaffirmed that the Dili International Marathon 2025, themed “Run for Palestine,” is a call for peace, solidarity, and justice — values that have guided Timor-Leste since independence.
In an official statement, the President said the event’s theme “represents a principled commitment to peace, solidarity, and the universal values that have guided Timor-Leste since its own hard-won independence.”
He added that the decision, taken under his direct patronage, “emerges from a deep understanding of struggle, resilience, and the transformative power of international solidarity.”
Historical Foundation and Moral Authority
According to the President, Timor-Leste’s decision to stand with Palestine “is not arbitrary but deeply rooted in our own historical experience.”
“Our nation endured 24 years of occupation, during which we lost over 200,000 lives – nearly one-third of our population,” he said. “We understand intimately the pain of occupation, the yearning for self-determination, and the crucial role that international solidarity plays in achieving justice and peace.”
As a Nobel Peace Laureate, Ramos-Horta said his commitment to peace was “not theoretical but forged through decades of diplomacy, negotiation, and the patient work of building bridges between former enemies.”
A Call for Peace, Not Division
President Ramos-Horta stressed that the “Run for Palestine” theme is fundamentally about peace, not partisan politics.”
He said it advocates for peaceful resolutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, raises awareness of humanitarian suffering, and upholds “the universal right to self-determination that Timor-Leste itself exercised.”
“This is not an endorsement of any particular political movement or a rejection of Israel’s right to exist,” he clarified. “Rather, it is a call for the international community to recognize the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people while working toward a just solution that ensures security and dignity for all.”
Sport as a Bridge to Peace
Ramos-Horta said the marathon embodies his vision of “leveraging sport for diplomacy and peace.”
“Sport has a unique capacity to transcend political divisions and unite people around shared human values,” he said.
By choosing this theme, the President said, “we invite runners from all nations – including Israel – to participate in a dialogue about peace, justice, and reconciliation.”
The event’s mission to “build bridges through sports” and “build fraternity between our people and peoples around the world” remains unchanged, he added, emphasizing that all participants who share a commitment to peace and human dignity are welcome.
Consistency with International Law and Values
President Ramos-Horta noted that Timor-Leste’s position “aligns with international law and the overwhelming global consensus on Palestinian rights.”
“We condemn violence against all civilians while supporting the Palestinian people’s legitimate aspirations for statehood and self-determination,” he said.
He explained that the stance “is consistent with United Nations resolutions and reflects the same principles of justice and human rights that the international community applied to support Timor-Leste’s own independence struggle.”
ASEAN Integration and Regional Unity
The marathon also celebrates Timor-Leste’s full membership in ASEAN, which Ramos-Horta said “demonstrates our commitment to regional cooperation and peaceful coexistence.”
He said this dual theme “shows how solidarity with Palestinian rights is entirely compatible with building positive relationships across the region and globally.”
“ASEAN itself has long supported a two-state solution and Palestinian self-determination, making our position consistent with regional diplomatic norms,” he added.
Invitation to Dialogue, Not Exclusion
The President rejected any notion that the marathon is divisive or exclusionary.
“We see it as an opportunity for constructive dialogue about one of the world’s most pressing humanitarian crises,” he said. “We invite critics to engage with us in good faith about how sport can contribute to peace and understanding.”
According to Ramos-Horta, the marathon welcomes participants of all backgrounds and perspectives “provided they respect our commitment to peaceful resolution and human dignity.”
He said a diversity of viewpoints, combined with a shared commitment to peace, “can strengthen rather than weaken our common humanity.”
Ramos Horta reiterated that the “Run for Palestine” theme “reflects Timor-Leste’s values of solidarity, peace, and justice – the same values that sustained us through our own darkest hours and guided us to independence.”
“We stand with all peoples struggling for freedom and dignity, just as the international community stood with us,” he declared.
“This is not about choosing sides in an intractable conflict, but about affirming universal principles that transcend borders and politics,” he said. “We run for Palestine because we run for peace, for justice, and for the hope that all peoples can one day live in freedom and security.”
He concluded by inviting the global community to join Timor-Leste “in this spirit of solidarity and peace-building, transforming what some see as controversy into an opportunity for dialogue, understanding, and progress toward a more just world.”
TATOLI
