South African protestors challenge German stance on Gaza war, resume funding for UNRWA
South African protestors have expressed discontent with Germany’s stance on the war on Gaza, demanding the revocation of suspension of funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The group who gathered at the German consulate in Cape Town on February 9, in a memo presented to the German consulate, noted that Germany has over the period conflated criticism of Israel with antisemitism, creating discord, local media Ground Up reports.
“Rather than speaking out against Israel’s mass murder of mainly women and children, the German state has instead chosen to intensify the repression of those who stand against the genocide of the Palestinian people,” the memo read in part.
They demanded Germany withdraw its military, political, diplomatic, and cultural support for Israel and put an immediate end to conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism. They have advocated for a nuanced approach to discussions about Israel, emphasizing the importance of separating legitimate criticism from discriminatory views and the revocation of the country's suspension of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The representative of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Professor Usuf Chikte, warned that the group is ready to call for the expulsion of the German ambassador and initiate a boycott if Germany does not alter its current stance.
In response, the spokesperson for the German Embassy, Christopher Schmidt, has said that, on the contrary, Germany is pushing for a diplomatic settlement based on a negotiated two-state solution.
“Israel has a right to self-defence against the unprecedented attacks by Hamas within the confines of international law. At the same time, we see the unspeakable suffering of the civilian population in Gaza. Germany is one of the world’s leading supporters of the Palestinian Authority and global humanitarian relief efforts for the Palestinian people,” said Schmidt.
Addressing concerns about the suspension of funds to the UNRWA, he said, “The UNRWA’s role is vital for the provision of basic services to the Palestinian people. While no new funding will be made available by Germany, pending UNRWA’s investigation into the extremely grave allegations, Germany’s current funding remains unaffected. At the same time, Germany is stepping up its humanitarian assistance via the ICRC, UNICEF, and others.”
