PRESS INVITE: Palestine Solidarity Rally with ANC Treasurer-General Zweli Mkhize, KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu, ANC Youth League's Shaka Sisulu, Members of BDS South Africa and others
Members of the press are invited to a Palestine solidarity event and rally to be held tomorrow (Tuesday, 4 September at 7pm) with Dr Zweli Mkhize (ANC Treasurer-General), Senzo Mchunu (Premier of KZN), Emma Daitz (Jewish Voices for Peace), His Excellency Hafiz Nofal (Ambassador of State of Palestine), Shaka Sisulu (ANC Youth League NTT Member and grandson of Walter Sisulu), Kwara Kekana (BDS South Africa campaigner) and Muhammed Desai (BDS South Africa Coordinator).
The Port Shepstone Palestine solidarity rally will be hosted by the ANC (KZN Lower South Coast Region); Port Shepstone Palestine Solidarity Forum; Port Shepstone Business Forum; and, BDS South Africa.
PORT SHEPSTONE PALSTINE EVENT DETAILS
SPEAKERS: Dr Zweli Mkhize (ANC Treasurer-General), Senzo Mchunu (Premier of KZN), Emma Daitz (Jewish Voices for Peace), His Excellency Hafiz Nofal (Ambassador of State of Palestine), Shaka Sisulu (ANC Youth League NTT Member and grandson of Walter Sisulu), Kwara Kekana (BDS South Africa campaigner) and Muhammed Desai (BDS South Africa Coordinator).
VENUE: Port Shepstone Civic Centre, Corner of Reynolds and Connor Street
CITY: Port Shepstone, Kwa-Zulu Natal
DAY: Thursday, 04 September 2014
TIME: 19h00
CONTACT: 0835561726 / 0827863344 / 0842119988
HOSTS: ANC Lower South Coast Region, Port Shepstone Business Forum, Port Shepstone Palestine Solidarity Alliance, BDS South Africa
During July and August, Israel killed over 2000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip (according to the UN, more than 75% of those killed were civilians). Israel also killed 491 children in those attacks on Gaza. A ceasefire has been signed however, a few days later Israel announced one of the largest land grabs in 30 years. Israel declared 1000 hectares of Palestinian land around Bethlehem in the Occupied Palestinian West Bank as land to be used for future illegal Jewish only settlement contructions. Israel's settlement construcion is illegal under international law.
Kwara Kekana of BDS South Africa said: "This event in Port Shepstone is an indication of at least two important things. Firstly, solidarity with the Palestinian people crosses the length and breadth of our country. Events don't only take place in large cities but even in smaller towns and far-off areas. Our support for the Palestinian struggle is countrywide. Secondly, even though the attacks on Gaza may have ceased the Israeli oppression of the Palestinian people and violation of international law continues, for example Israel's latest announcement of illegal Israeli settlement construction. This continued oppression by Israel thus warrants a long term approach to hold Israel accountable and the non-violent boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign offers us a long term approach to hold Israel accountable. Similar to the anti-apartheid movement of the 1980s, the Palestinian solidarity movement today is about enlisting ordinary citizens into an extraordinary people-based international campaign."
ISSUED BY MUHAMMED DESAI ON BEHALF OF BDS SOUTH AFRICA
BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT AND SANCTIONS AGAINST ISRAEL in SOUTH AFRICA (BDS SOUTH AFRICA)
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