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In a powerful display of support, South Africans have come together to express their unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people during the ongoing crisis involving Israel and Hamas. The South African government, known for its robust alliance with Palestine, continues to voice concerns regarding Israel’s prolonged occupation of the West Bank.
Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, emphasized their commitment to the Palestinian cause during the second meeting of the Palestinian Heads of Mission in Africa held in Pretoria last year. Drawing from their own history of grappling with racial inequality, discrimination, and denial, South Africa refuses to stand idly by while another generation of Palestinians faces adversity.
On October 11th, citizens of South Africa turned out in significant numbers, staging protests in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban to show their unwavering support for Palestinians in their quest for justice, equality, and the right to return to their homeland. These demonstrators represent a diverse range of South Africans in terms of race and age, demonstrating the widespread empathy for the Palestinian struggle.
Throughout the protests, motorists were seen proudly displaying the Palestinian flag and scarves. Some even slowed down near the Tollgate area, extending their arms out of car windows to visibly endorse the protest action.
For nearly two decades, South Africa has been participating in Israeli Apartheid Week, an annual event that draws supporters of the Palestinian cause from 250 different cities worldwide. For many South Africans, the parallels between the current situation and the apartheid policies that prevailed in the 1980s are striking and continue to influence their collective memory.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the immediate opening of humanitarian corridors in the Middle East, highlighting the pressing need for humanitarian aid in the region.
The Economic Freedom Fighters of South Africa issued a statement on October 7th, emphasizing that the Palestinian people have endured decades of violent land dispossession, bombings, and infringements on their rights to free movement and religion. It is imperative, they stated, not to misconstrue the responses of the Palestinians to Israeli actions as aggression, but rather as acts of self-defense.
As the Israel-Hamas war enters its seventh day, the toll on both sides is deeply concerning. The conflict has resulted in over 2,000 casualties among Israelis and Palestinians, with nearly 10,000 individuals injured. Furthermore, over 600 Israelis and Palestinians remain occupied in the West Bank, underscoring the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to this protracted and devastating crisis.
