Interfaith march against US stance on Israel

THOUSANDS of people of all religions marched through the streets of Cape Town yesterday calling on government to sever ties with Israel.

The protest was sparked after US President Donald Trump announced that Jerusalem would be recognised by the US as the official capital of Israel and the US embassy would be relocated from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The announcement was met with international disapproval and has sparked fresh tensions in the Middle East.

Yesterday, thousands of pro-Palestine supporters took to the streets of the city to call on the government to have its embassy in Jerusalem downgraded.

Protesters chanted “Free Palestine” and “Down with Donald Trump” while making their way to Parliament. Leading the march along with protesters were religious leaders from various faiths.

“The City of Jerusalem is shared by various religions, in particularly Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. We all call it the holy land and it’s in our best interest that there should be peace,” said Reverend Thulani Ndlazi from the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa.

Ndlazi said Trump’s utterances were part of a political ambition project.

“It’s not just about recognising Jerusalem as a capital city but more about nullifying it,” he said.

Also part of the march was the Muslim Judicial Council, who said they were coming together to say “hands off Jerusalem”.

“We are never going to be silent, we have made the pronouncement to close the Israel embassy because the government is an apartheid state with apartheid policy,” MJC deputy president Moulana Abdul Khaliq Allie said.

Currently, the Middle East is experiencing fresh tension as protests entered their fifth day on Monday over Trump’s declaration.

Tens of thousands of protesters held demonstrations in Lebanon. –