Why Should South Africans Care About Israel's Apartheid?
Attacks on the Palestinian people in the Gaza strip have galvanised a variety of South African people and groups who vocalised their support for the victims of the violence. A group of Jewish people has asked for signatories to a "Not in our name" statement. The statement, which the group will publish next week, condemns recent actions by Israel against Palestinians, and rejects the "unconditional support for Israel's disproportionate violence" as expressed by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies and the South African Zionist Federation. "These organisations neither represent us nor the diversity of Jews in this country," it says.
This comes after Palestinian supporters demonstrated in Cape Town where they marched to Parliament to protest the deadly Israeli airstrikes. The demonstration was likely the largest of its kind for 2021, according to James Stent and Nathan Geffen of GroundUp. Further, calls have been made for the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to impose sanctions on Israel and for the middle eastern state's embassy in Pretoria to be closed. "What we call for, is the closure of the [South African] Embassy in Tel Aviv," said Mandla Mandela, ANC MP and grandson of Nelson Mandela. He said that on Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18, 2021, crowds should convene in front of the Israeli embassy in Pretoria to have the government "shut down and remove" the embassy from South Africa.
The government has also expressed its support for the people of Palestine. "The recent vicious attacks by Israel on Palestinian people and the forced removal of Palestinians from their homes is clear evidence of the absence of peace and security for millions worldwide ... We call on the UN and the Gulf Council to be more resolute in pursuing freedom for the people of Palestine," said International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Naledi Pandor.
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South Africa:
Why Should South Africans Care About Israel's Apartheid?
GroundUp, 21 May 2021
Whenever Israel bombs Gaza, an event that seems to repeat every few years, the conflict inevitably finds its way into South Africa's political discourse. Last week probably the… Read more »
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South Africa:
SA Forges Solidarity With People of Palestine
SAnews.gov.za, 21 May 2021
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, has called on the United Nations (UN) and the Gulf Council to be more resolute in pursuing freedom for the… Read more »
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South Africa:
South Africa Strongly Condemns Israel's Attacks On Civilians in Palestine
Govt of SA, 14 May 2021
South African Government strongly condemns Israel's unjust attacks on civilians in Palestine especially on the most vulnerable, children, women and the elderly Read more »
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South Africa:
ANC Government Must Impose Sanctions On Israel
New Frame, 14 May 2021
Condemning Israel while continuing to do business with the state is a cynical attempt to spin optics when what Palestinians need is decisive action. Read more »
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South Africa:
Jewish Board Calls on Govt to Condemn Attacks on Israelis
SA Jewish Board of Deputies, 14 May 2021
For the past week rockets fired from Gaza have rained down on Israeli towns in the south of Israel. Yesterday, it was Jerusalem’s turn to be targeted. Rockets are… Read more »
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South Africa:
Cabinet Condemns Israeli Attacks On Palestine
SAnews.gov.za, 13 May 2021
Cabinet has expressed strong condemnation of the recent attacks on Palestinian protesters at Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. Read more »
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South Africa:
Call for Israeli Embassy in Pretoria to Be Closed
GroundUp, 12 May 2021
With their familiar checked scarves and fists raised high, the chant "free free Palestine" could be heard echoing through Cape Town's city centre as well over a thousand people… Read more »
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South Africa:
Cape Town Protesters Show Solidarity With Palestine
Daily Maverick, 12 May 2021
The protest came after Israel's air strikes on the Gaza Strip, which have killed at least 56 people since the violence escalated on Monday. Read more »
InFocus
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The new surge in conflict between Israel and Palestine is being covered widely by African media, with governments from North and Southern Africa condemning the Israeli incursion ... Read more »
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International Relations Minister Sisulu has called the downgrading of the South African embassy in Tel Aviv to a liaison office "stage one" of efforts to reduce diplomatic ties ... Read more »
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Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has said he will take a proposal regarding the status of visa regulations for Israeli citizens entering South Africa to Cabinet for ... Read more »
Thousands of people marched in Cape Town in solidarity with Palestinians.