Ramaphosa mustn’t forget Palestine

THE RULING ANC has been a long-time ally of the Palestinian independence movement dating back to the struggle against apartheid.

Ultimately, the defeat of apartheid left a legacy as well as a permanent responsibility.

The leadership of the ANC must be saluted for taking up the challenge to defeat apartheid wherever it exists, especially in Palestine.

Increasingly over the past decade, more and more South Africans who were active in the anti-apartheid campaign have joined the likes of former president Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu to speak out in support of the Palestinian struggle.

In many cases, they have denounced Israeli apartheid as being far worse than South African apartheid.

The ANC, formally endorsed and adopted as part of its official policy the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel.

The ANC also adopted two other resolutions relating to Palestine and Israel.

One of the resolutions reiterated the ANC’s long held stance in support of the Palestinian struggle.

The ANC adopted a resolution condemning Israel’s treatment of African refugees.

It said it abhorred the recent Israeli state-sponsored xenophobic attacks and deportation of Africans and requested the matter should be escalated to the AU.

The adoption of the resolutions formalised the position already held by the ANC and the government.

In December last year, South Africa was among 128 countries that voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution condemning the US decision on Jerusalem – despite loud threats from the Trump administration.

South African apartheid may be over, but apartheid has not ended.

Apartheid is still alive and flourishing today in Israel.

We know apartheid was wrong in South Africa and it is wrong in Israel.

It was very disappointing that, in his maiden State of the Nation address, Ramaphosa did not mention Palestine.

Honour all South Africans Mr President by joining the struggle for a Free Palestine and speaking out against an apartheid state.

Last year you joined a number of government ministers and others in pledging to take part in a 24-hour fast in solidarity with more than 1 500 Palestinian political prisoners.

I remind you of your words Mr President: “We know where we stand.

“We’ve always stood by the side of the Palestinian struggle – as they stood by our side.

“That is not negotiable, it’s not even up for discussion. It’s there, cast in stone.

“For as long as that struggle persists, we will be on the side of the Palestinians… on the right side.” Isipingo Hills, KwaZulu-Natal

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