‘SA must kick out Israeli diplomat’

LATE former president Nelson Mandela’s grandson‚ Mandla‚ has called on the South African government to send Israel’s ambassador‚ Lior Keinan‚ packing – back to his country.

Mandla was among several high-profile religious‚ civic and political leaders who participated in a protest march in Durban on Saturday to highlight the plight of Palestinians.

The march – which saw hundreds of supporters brandishing pro-Palestine placards and flags – formed part of nationwide protest action following the May 14 killing of more than 55 Palestinians‚ including children‚ at the hands of Israeli forces.

Before taking to the streets of Overport, scores of pro-Palestine supporters listened to Mandla’s brief address.

They were also addressed by Bishop Rubin Phillip, of the Anglican Church, as well as Ntuthuko Nkosi, of the Lutheran Church.

Mandla said: “We want to call on our South African government‚ in an act of protest, [it] should immediately send the Israeli ambassador back to Israel where he belongs.

“He has no home in South Africa. We will not sit by silent‚ when Madiba said this Palestinian struggle is the greatest moral issue of our time.

“Today we are gathered here to say that we are calling for all political prisoners to be released by the government of Israel.

“Apartheid Israel must be held accountable for genocide and crimes against humanity.”

South Africa responded to the massacre by withdrawing its ambassador to Israel. – TimesLive