There is stark contrast between the response of the right wing anti-immigrant racist apartheid government of Israel and the progressive government of South Africa. In Israel there has been violent xenophobic, anti-African and racist attacks against African refugees since 2012 but Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu, instead of condemning such violence, added fuel to the fire of xenophobic sentiments in Israel through his instructions to speed up the deportation of 25,000 African migrants and by referring to African migrants as “infiltrators” undermining the national identity, security and social fabric of the Israeli state. Other Israeli Members of Parliament have referred to African migrants, particularly those originating from Sudan, as a “cancer” in the body of Israel and other such derogatory statements that fuel xenophobia in Israel towards African migrants.
 
South African authorities are not adding fuel to the xenophobic sentiments but are fighting endlessly to regain stability and protect the safety of immigrants. Politicians are being supportive and civil society has been proactively assisting with humanitarian assistance and solidarity events. BDS South Africa will make sure that as part of our programs we actively include anti-xenophobia and afrophobia awareness. 

 

BDS South Africa will be supporting and speaking at the upcoming #StopXenophobia solidarity event and prayer in Yeoville (Ward 67 Johannesburg) hosted by the local Ward 67/Joe Slovo ANC and ANC Youth League branches on Saturday 18 April at 2pm at the Yeoville Recreation Centre (Raleigh and Fortesque Street) with Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements Comrade Jacob Mambolo, Deputy Director General of the Department of Home Affairs Comrade Mayihlome Tshwete and various local pastors and priests.