Hamas statement on the 109th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration: The crimes and plans of Israel will not erase the rights of the Palestinian people, and the right of return of the Palestinian refugees remains an inalienable right that cannot be compromised. "On the 109th anniversary of the evil Balfour Declaration, our people will remain steadfast in their country, will firmly defend their rights, lands and holy places and will continue to defend them until liberation and return. Crimes and colonial occupation plans will not be able to erase our national identity or harm the established right of our people. "This anniversary comes at a time of escalation in aggression and occupation crimes in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Jerusalem. Our people in Gaza continue to suffer a real tragedy and an ongoing genocidal war, while the Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem face dangerous displacement and Judaization programs that violate international laws and conventions, against a backdrop of international silence and failure to end Israel's escalation. "Today marks 109 years since the greatest atrocity perpetrated against a people in modern history, perpetrated by the British government through the so-called Balfour Declaration, a promise made by those who did not own land to those who had no rights to it. The same colonial mentality continues to rule this usurping entity and our fascist murderous policies, and displacement of our stars. People in Gaza and the cities, villages and refugee camps of the West Bank.