Next week pro-Palestinian South African groups, with the support and blessings of the ruling ANC party, will embark on a week of national protest action against Israel.
The ANC’s own website has been used to support the calls for the protest action which seems to be spearheaded by South African cabinet member Ronnie Kasrils.
Activities in South Africa are being coordinated by the End the Occupation Campaign, comprising almost 20 civil society organisations, social movements, solidarity organisations, political parties and faith-based organisations. In a declaration issued this week, the campaign said: "We face a new crisis of war and occupation, a crisis in which Palestinians continue to suffer, even more than the suffering already imposed by decades of brutal occupation and apartheid... The conditions of Palestinians living under occupation continue to deteriorate and Palestinian refugees continue to be denied During the week beginning 4 June, there will be lunch-time pickets in various centres around the country. This will include a picket by MPs and a candle-light vigil outside the US Consulate in Johannesburg. The ANC has also called for a parliamentary debate on the occupation of Palestinian territory. On 8 June, most constituent members of the Campaign will hold pickets outside selected stores selling Israeli goods, with a call for South Africans to boycott products from Israel. The ANC will, however, not join the call for a boycott of goods as the organisation has not adopted such a position. The week's events will culminate in mass marches and rallies on Saturday 9 June. In Cape Town, there will be a mass march from 10h00 to 12h00, ending with a rally. In Johannesburg, a mass rally will be held at the Johannesburg City Hall from 15h00 to 17h00. |
I urge all readers to stand against hypocrisy by deliberately purchasing Israeli products during the protest action. Do not let these pungent hypocrites who remain quiet on Zimbabwe and Darfur pressure South African stores into boycotting Israeli products. Do not let the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians trump far worse tragedies taking place right on our doorsteps!
Although the ANC stopped short of directly supporting the boycott of Israeli goods, by supporting the action they are lending tacit support for what they are politically unable to do. The significance of the ANC’s support for this mass action should not be underestimated particularly following the way ANC National Executive Committee member Ronnie Kasrils last week singled out South African mainstream Jewry and questioned our patriotism and loyalty to South Africa.
The ANC has so much to contribute to a peaceful settlement of this conflict, but are unfortunately (and perhaps unwittingly) supporting those who seek the destruction of Israel as their ultimate goal. They are thus betraying their own non-violent origins and aspirations.
Regardless of your views on Israel, take a stand against this one sided hypocrisy by purchasing Israeli goods next week.
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