On Thursday night, COSATU members belonging to the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) refused to offload goods from a ship carrying Israeli goods, apparently in the face of severe provocation and threats from the dastardly pro-Israeli lobby.
COSATU has announced that they will intensify their efforts in support of the campaign of hate. Their decision to hold an illegal march against the Jewish community on Friday is an example of the increasing pressure that will be placed on South African Jews to either toe their line or leave the country.
Judging by the turnout of Jews who rushed to a last-minute solidarity rally on Friday in opposition to COSATU, I don't think we will be adopting their sickening political positions anytime soon, no matter what pressure they place on us.
South Africa - Palestine: Victory for Worker Solidarity
| The worker action last night took place despite attempted subterfuge on the part of the owners of the shipping company. There was an attempt to confound the plan by arriving earlier than originally scheduled, which was 8 February. Dates for the berthing of the Johanna Russ were changed constantly. Yesterday morning, SATAWU members were told that the ship would dock this morning (Friday) at 02:00. Thanks to the vigilance of the dock workers, SATAWU discovered that the ship had docked on Wednesday morning and was due to be offloaded last night at 21:00. But the vigilant workers were on guard and immediately they realised that it had docked, they then refused to handle it, despite pressures from management. SATAWU members maintained their refusal to offload the ship and also attempted to ensure that scab labour would not be used.
A few hours after berthing, at 23:00, the Johanna Russ sneaked out of the Durban Harbour. From the beginning of this action, COSATU workers remained resolute about their position and were convinced that, following the recent Israeli massacres in Gaza, they will take determined action against Israel. Israel’s terror included flagrant breaches of international law, the bombing of densely populated neighbourhoods, the illegal deployment of chemical white phosphorous, and attacks on schools, ambulances, relief agencies, hospitals, universities and places of worship. COSATU has now decided to intensify its efforts in support of the struggles of the Palestinian people. The worker victory in Durban yesterday spurs COSATU members on to more determined action in order to isolate the Apartheid state of Israel. Other Cosatu unions are currently in discussion about how they might also give effect to Cosatu resolutions on boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel, including a refusal to handle Israeli goods, and continuing pressure on our government to sever diplomatic and trade relations with Israel. The momentum against apartheid Israel has become an irresistible force. We are proud to stand with the millions around the world who say ‘Enough is enough’. They are doing what we asked them to do when we faced the apartheid regime in our own country. |
Update at 2009-02-08
The Jerusalem Post has a different take on this debased COSATU "victory". Teaches me to rely on reporting from the "Anarkissimo"!
JPost: Israeli cargo ship unloaded in Durban
| The Port of Durban has turned to non-union workers to unload an Israeli ship that docked on Thursday, circumventing a boycott of Israeli shipping declared by the South African transport workers union on Wednesday.
According to Israeli diplomatic officials, the South African government and port authorities were "more worried than us" about the boycott announced by the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU). "The historic and heroic struggle of the Palestinian people for self-determination... is a struggle that SATAWU supports," said Randall Howard, general secretary of the union, as he announced the boycott on Wednesday after the union noticed an Israeli vessel in line to enter the busy port. However, dock workers discovered a legal impediment to the boycott, since strikes at the port require 48 hours notice. Regardless of the legalities, the union announced on Thursday afternoon it would go through with boycotting the ship, leading the port's management to organize non-union laborers to unload it. |
So once again, COSATU took action against Israel deemed to be illegal under South African law.
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