Around 5000 Capetonians from all walks of life came together in solidarity for the Palestinian people yesterday (Wednesday, July 16th). Recent events resulting in the ongoing three-century long battle between Israeli extremists and Palestinian military groups , have sparked international outcry. Israel has fired airstrikes for the past week killing at least 200 Palestinian civilians to date. Capetonians reacted.

A Muslim Judicial Council representative, standing atop a truck that lead the march mentioned that the march was not a Muslim gathering but South Africans uniting in support of Palestinians and the atrocities they are facing. The well-attended march proceeded from Keizersgracht Street to Plein Street. The marchers chanted anti-Israeli slogans until they reached parliament where a host of speakers addressed them.

Lwazi Somya, an ANC Youth League representative called for a boycott of all Israeli products and the removal of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa. He also called for the South African ambassador to Israel to return to South Africa. Cosatu, NEHAWU, EFF, NUMSA, and the PAC were some of the participants in the march. A member of the UCT Palestine Solidarity Forum took this further by advocating for the South African government to impose  sanctions on the Israeli government and for UCT to cut all ties with Israel.

Provincial Secretary of Cosatu, Tony Ehrenreich is also in support of the South African government imposing sanctions on the Israeli government. “An injury to Palestine is in an injury to South Africa,” he affirmed.

The march was a proper way to send out a clear message to the South African government and the international community to highlight the plight of the Israeli people.

Images by: Andiswa Mkosi and Matthew Zients.

Source: First Post.

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