Israel ‘capital’ outrage
World protests erupt at Trump’s embassy move
SOUTH Africa, along with the international community, is alarmed at US President Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in Israel, as well as his announcement that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.
Under international law, East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want as the capital of their future state, is occupied territory.
According to African News Agency (ANA) sources and media reports, there are now fears of a new Palestinian uprising, after violent clashes on Thursday between Israeli security forces and protesting Palestinians in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which left more than 30 Palestinians injured.
Yesterday, there were protests as part of a “day of rage” by Muslims in various parts of the world, including Bangladesh and Indonesia, while there have been reports of fresh clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces in the West Bank cities of Hebron, Bethlehem and Ramallah.
Hamas has called for a new Intifada (uprising) and the Palestinian Authority-affiliated Fatah movement has called for three days of rage, uniting the two erstwhile political foes.
South African reaction to Trump’s Wednesday night announcement has also been fast and furious.
The Ahmed Kathadra Foundation has been the latest organisation to slam Trump’s provocative move.
“The decision by Trump is an attempt to legitimise the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel,” it said yesterday.
“The consequences of such a move are likely to end all attempts at peace talks between Israel and Palestine. It will also embolden right-wing reactionaries who refuse to recognise the Israeli occupation for what it is,” said Kathrada Foundation executive director Neeshan Balton.
“The decision by the US will cement (Israel’s) efforts to occupy land that rightfully belongs to Palestinians. It will also enhance Israel’s efforts to try to erase Palestinian history and culture in occupied East Jerusalem.”
On Thursday, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Cosatu, the South African chapter of the Boycott, Disinvestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, and the United Ulama Council of South Africa all strongly condemned the move.
Outspoken Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said that “those who claim divine rights for themselves to physical property on Earth are false prophets ... God does not discriminate between Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Taos and atheists – or any other people”.
The Ahmed Kathadra Foundation’s fears of an end to the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians comes simultaneously as today marks the 30th anniversary of the first Palestinian uprising against the Israeli occupation, which broke out in 1987.
“We’ve been put on emergency alert and everybody’s leave has been cancelled,” Palestinian nurse Ameen Al Teel told the ANA during an interview from the occupied West Bank.
“On Thursday we treated many injured, including those suffering from gunshot wounds. But Friday after prayers is the day when protests are held – even under normal circumstances.”
In preparation for a possible tidal wave of protests, Israel Defence Forces has sent extra battalions to the occupied territory, while the police in Jerusalem are on high alert. – ANA