Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters in Durban joined people across the globe over what they call the illegal occupation of Palestinian Land by Israel.
The march was also sparked by Israel’s recent retaliation on Palestinian protesters over the new US embassy in Jerusalem. Almost 60 unarmed Palestinians were gunned down after Israeli armed forces fired live ammunition – the same day when the US opened its embassy on Israeli soil.
At least 1200 Palestinians were wounded in what was seen as the bloodiest day since the 2014 war. Israel, which faced international condemnation, says it was obliged to defend its borders.
The marchers are demanding that South African government cut ties with Israel and expel the Israeli ambassador from the country.
The Isreali-Palestinian tension can be felt thousands of miles away as these pro-Palestinian supporters in Durban demand an end to Israel’s land grabs of Palestinian territory. Amongst those present was the grandson of former president Nelson Mandela.
Mandla Mandela says his grandfather believed that South Africa will never be free unless Palestine is free. March organisers – The People Against Oppression – have called on South Africans to support the Palestinians in their struggle. Spokesperson, Abie Dawjee says the march aims to give a voice to innocent victims in Palestine.
“The significance of this march really is show support with the long suffering people of Palestine who have been under occupation for 70 years since the state of Israel was created. We are motivated about what has happened over the last nine weeks where almost 120 people were killed in a peaceful protest near Gaza fence. The largest prison in the world where 2 million Palestinians lived. 120 people were killed so far 13 thousand people have been injured.”
Dawjee has called on South Africans to stand together in the quest to fight against what they term ‘ apartheid Israel’. He says South Africans managed to overcome apartheid because they were united and called Palestinians to apply the same vigour in this case.
“All South Africans must remember that it took the collective effort of people around the world who believed in human right to bring apartheid South Africa to its knees; and so we call on SA to join the struggle to free Palestinians from Apartheid Israel in the words of Nelson Mandela. We cannot be truly free until the Palestinians people are free.”
Meanwhile, various religious leaders were also part of the march including the Dean of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa Bishop Rubin Phillip who is also the great-grandchild of indentured labourers, and the first South African of colour to hold the position of Bishop of Natal. Another religious leader, Reverend Ntuthuko Nkosi has called on South African government to downgrade the Israeli embassy.
“The importance of this march is that we continue to put pressure on Israeli regime and what they have been doing in the pasty three weeks in killing in the cold blood – the Palestinians who are marching wanting to push for a downgrade of our embassy in Tel Aviv and downgrade the Israeli embassy in SA.”
Marchers believe the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem meant the symbolic recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital‚ a move which was condemned internationally as provocative and a threat to peace in the region.
Protesters have called on the South African government to cut ties with Israel and expel the country’s ambassador to South Africa.
