Echoes of apartheid SA at the funeral of Al Jazeera journalist

WHILE the outcry over the fiasco at the funeral of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh reverberates around the world; once again a few chilling comparisons with apartheid South Africa emerge.

While all of this was happening, apartheid Israel was stealing indigenous Palestinians’ land in Masafer Yatta.

The people who lived there for generations won’t be citizens of Israel, yet an immigrant from Eastern Europe or the US claiming to be of Jewish ancestry (and not necessarily practising the Jewish faith) will be given land and citizenship. Identical to the forced removals in apartheid South Africa.

Common jokes are “Israel terrorist” and the only “peace” Israel wants is a “piece of Palestine” (or the occupied territories).

Antony Abu Akleh, the journalist’s brother, had to give assurances to the apartheid Israeli security forces that the funeral would be in the hearse, no flags and no slogans.

This reminds me of South Africa’s freedom champion, the late “the Prof” Robert Sobukwe, who was even refused permission to leave South Africa, and was banned in South Africa.

When he died, the local magistrate ruled that the funeral could not proceed via the Main Street of Graaff Reinet and a side street had to be used under the watchful guide of security forces. A commotion did occur but this was among PAC youths and the attendees, and gunshots were fired in the air.

Those who have watched the funeral of Shireen Abu Akleh, especially when the coffin almost fell on the floor after a physical altercation by the apartheid Israeli security forces, will see the distinct similarities with the funeral of Ashley Kriel when the banned ANC flag was displayed. Again similarities with apartheid South Africa. In the words of Shireen Abu Akleh, “it might not be easy to change the reality but at least I could bring their voice to the world”. Rest in Peace. Hamba kahle.

MUHAMMAD OMAR | Durban North