Protests erupt in Cape Town in solidarity with Palestinians: Video
On Saturday, October 5, Cape Town witnessed a powerful demonstration as thousands of South Africans took to the streets in solidarity with Palestinians.
Organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), the march began in District Six. It climaxed at the Parliament building, drawing attention to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian issue.
The demonstrators carried placards and chanted slogans, demanding that the South African government cut all diplomatic ties with Israel.
They also called for the adoption of an anti-apartheid bill targeting supporters of Israel. This reflects the deep-rooted historical and moral stance of South Africa against apartheid-like policies.
The march further saw participation from various religious groups, civil rights organisations, and political figures.
Notably, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Nazier Paulsen voiced strong support for the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement, urging South Africa to lead the global effort against Israel's policies.
"Boycotts, divesting and sanctions and we have to lead that our history dictates that South Africa has to lead the programme of boycotts, sanctions and divestment," Paulsen said.
MP Fadil Adams adding his voice to the calls also said "I'm here today because if you want to be a South African, you have to be part Palestinian. I'm here today because suffering anywhere is suffering everywhere. I'm here today because Palestine must be free. I'm here today because Zionism is an evil and it must end."
Lamiez Ebrahim, a prominent activist at the march, emphasised the importance of economic sanctions. "Hitting them where it hurts—money—is crucial. We've been boycotting their products for months, and it's making an impact," she stated.
South Africa in 2023 filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of committing genocidal acts against Palestinians in Gaza.
This case, officially titled "Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel)," was initiated on December 29, 2023.
Monday, October 7, 2024, marks a year since the Israeli-Palestinian war started. On this day in 2023, Palestine's militant group, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on revellers at the Nova Music Festival in Israel.
Hamas militants breached the Gaza border fence at 60 different points. According to Israeli reports, around 1,200 people were killed and over 251 were taken hostage during the assault.
The attack triggered an Israeli military response that has caused the deaths of over 41,000 Palestinians and widespread destruction so far.
The Nova Music Festival, a trance music event, was held on October 6 and 7, 2023, in Re'im, located in southern Israel.
