Radiance News Service
Nov. 30: Marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on November 29, South African political parties, civil society organisations, activists and groups from all shades of the political spectrum marched through Johannesburg, demanding a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as well as demanding their government to cut diplomatic ties with Israel.
Marching across the Nelson Mandela Bridge, diverse parties, including the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and left-wing organisations came together, with slogans and banners, the traditional black and white keffiyeh and the black, yellow and green dotting the roads. South Africa has seen multiple demonstrations, with President Cyril Ramaphosa comparing Israel’s policies with that of apartheid South Africa.
A veteran anti-apartheid activist Ronnie Kasrils, who addressed the protest, called for the boycott and isolation of Israel: “All over the world, millions and millions are coming out and saying no, no, no. We will boycott and isolate Israel until it hurts them, and we stand by the Palestinian people fully, in our total support,” Kasrils told the gathering.
Many in South Africa find historical linkages between the apartheid policies of Israel with the histories of their own country. Similarly, the Palestinian resistance has always found great resonance in Ireland, which has a long history of anti-colonial resistance.
