PRESS STATEMENT
South African Parliament shuns Israeli delegation

 

 

The human rights and Palestine solidarity organization BDS South Africa joins fellow organiations in welcoming the South African Parliament’s shunning of a visiting Israeli delegation (click here).

 

The decision has been supported by the ANC parliamentary caucus that also resolved to reject the Israeli invite (click here). Various organizations, human rights groups and political parties have welcomed the move. Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela and Member of Parliament as well as Parliamentary Portfolio Committee Whip, has said: "We applaud Parliament’s decision to reject the invitation for the Israeli parliamentary delegation to visit. In so doing parliament has stayed true to Madiba’s commitment to stand by the Palestinian cause...we especially want to express our gratitude and appreciation to the ANC parliamentary caucus for its resolute and firm stand to reject the Israeli invite and call on them to equally pressurise our ANC led government to deny [the Israeli delegation] access to our country.” (Click here)

 

South Africa’s largest trade union federation, COSATU, in welcoming the decision has, however, cautioned that: “We are aware that certain reactionary opposition parties and individuals will try to circumvent this Parliamentary decision and still fraternize with the Israeli delegation. Those who entertained officials from Apartheid SA were on the wrong side of history during the 1980s, and those who are entertaining Israel today will be judged harshly by history.” (Click here)

 

Indeed, the people of South Africa, through our Parliament, have spoken - South Africa stands with the people of Palestine and their progressive Jewish Israeli allies fighting for an end to Israeli Apartheid, occupation and oppression. We believe that amidst the Israeli oppression, the people of Palestine, when they hear of this act of solidarity from South Africa, will find strength and motivation.

 

BDS South Africa will continue to work with partner organizations on the isolation of Apartheid Israel until it complies by international law.

 

ISSUED BY KWARA KEKANA ON BEHALF OF BDS SOUTH AFRICA