Durban — As supporters of Palestine gather to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People on Friday, pro-Palestine organisations are set to stage a picket outside the offices of the United States Consulate General in Durban.
This demonstration is part of a broader campaign advocating for increased pressure on the US, a key ally and military supporter of the Israeli government, amid escalating violence in Gaza, which demonstrators label as “genocide.”
Among the participants, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), an alliance union of the ANC, voiced strong support for the cause.
Ayanda Zulu, the union's provincial secretary in KwaZulu-Natal, told the Daily News that they will keep piling pressure until Israel and its allies caved in.
“We want the world countries, including the US, to cut ties with Israel. We are also calling on global economic powerhouses to disinvest in Israel because they have been leading a genocide in Gaza for many decades,” he said.
Zulu urged local and global policymakers to take decisive measures against Israel and its financial and military backers.
This includes calls on the South African government under President Cyril Ramaphosa, to downgrade the Israeli Embassy in the country. “We will continue also to call for the sanctions to be meted out against Israel. We also call for a widespread boycott of Israeli products,” he added.
Another pro-Palestine picket will be taking place in North Beach, led by the South Africa Palestine Movement.
Established in 1977, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People serves as a reminder of the long-standing conflict that traces back to 1948, resulting in tragic losses, including countless civilian lives – women and children among them.
The KZN Palestine Solidarity Forum, which has been leading a series of weekly pickets in Durban and Cape Town, will also join the efforts on Friday outside the US Consulate offices in Durban.
Dr Lubna Nadvi, an academic and activist, has been vocal about the urgent need for resolution. During a recent march dubbed "Witness To A Year of Genocide" held in uMhlanga last month, she cited that over 40 000 people have died in Gaza since the latest escalation began in October 2023.
“We demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the right of return for Palestinians, and for them to enjoy full democracy just like other citizens around the world,” she declared.
The SA Palestine Solidarity Movement will be joining the picket.
The current situation has gained international attention after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant, and Mohammed Deif of Hamas, citing allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the ongoing conflict. In contrast, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar defended the actions of Israeli leaders, arguing that the ICC had no “justification” for the warrants.
The South African government responded positively to the ICC's actions, with a statement from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) stating, “We call on the global community to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability for human rights violations.”
Repeated attempts to get a comment from the South African Jewish Board of Deputies were unsuccessful.
However, previously, the organisation has criticised the South African government's stance, stating that recent trends have incited hatred against Jewish communities, leading to alarming calls for violence against them.
“In recent days, we have seen incitement to hatred against the community reach such levels as to comprise explicit calls on public platforms for Jews to be attacked in their homes, their places of work, and perhaps chillingly of all, in their school,” read a statement from the organisation.
Efforts to get comments from the US Consulate General’s office in Durban proved futile as the spokesperson is on leave, and the public affairs officer is on travel outside the country.
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