{"id":54737,"date":"2015-03-09T12:00:05","date_gmt":"2015-03-09T12:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=54737"},"modified":"2015-05-05T21:26:01","modified_gmt":"2015-05-05T20:26:01","slug":"children-of-south-africas-liberation-icons-condemn-israeli-apartheid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2015\/03\/children-of-south-africas-liberation-icons-condemn-israeli-apartheid\/","title":{"rendered":"Children of South Africa\u2019s Liberation Icons Condemn Israeli Apartheid"},"content":{"rendered":"

Relatives of Mandela, Kathrada, Sisulu, Dadoo, Naude, Chikane and other stalwarts speak out.<\/em><\/p>\n

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It is the Israeli Apartheid Week in South Africa. The children of celebrated liberation heroes have come out to support the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel, denouncing the Jewish state\u2019s brutal colonial occupation of Palestine. The campaign is supported by 85 South African organizations and institutions.<\/em><\/p>\n

Gathering Here Today
\n<\/strong>
\nAs children, grandchildren and relatives of Anti-Apartheid stalwarts, veterans of our country\u2019s freedom struggle, we have a responsibility to carry forward the spirit of those who came before us. As children who live in a free South Africa we carry a responsibility to those in the international community who contributed towards our liberation. As children of a larger human family we have a responsibility to ensure that children can live in a world where it is safe and okay to simply be a child. Regardless if they are black or white, regardless of their religion, race or nationality and regardless if they are an Israeli or Palestinian child.<\/p>\n

There is a dangerous tendency in South Africa to romanticise the past. Yes, we have a lot to be proud of but romanticism must not lead to paralysis. We gather here today to remember our forefathers and mothers – not just in name, but in action. Standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people is one form of actively remembering our forebears and liberation heroes.<\/p>\n

Described as once being the \u201cnerve centre” of the liberation movement, Liliesleaf Farm was chosen for the launch of Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) to remind people that our freedom was fought for, not handed over to us. Today, we salute the Palestinian people and their Israeli allies for their resistance to and struggle against Israeli Apartheid.<\/p>\n

Israeli Apartheid
\n<\/strong>
\nWhen we use the word Apartheid to describe Israel we say it with a hard heart, sadness, anger and impatience. But we don\u2019t say it maliciously, irresponsibly or carelessly. We use the word \u201cApartheid\u201d because several of our mothers, fathers and elders amongst us have been to Palestine-Israel and have reported that the situation is one of Apartheid. But also because very many reports, opinions and legal analyses indicate the sad situation that another people, the Palestinians, are currently going through what we South Africans experienced \u2013 indeed, as our former President has said, even worse. Most recently in March 2014 the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Professor Richard Falk, found in his UN Human Rights Council Report that Israel\u2019s policies bore \u201cunacceptable characteristics of apartheid\u201d. We also recall that in 2009 a Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) commissioned by the South African Government found Israel guilty of the crime of Apartheid.<\/p>\n

Finding Mandela, Kathrada, Dadoo, Sisulu, Chikane, Luthuli, Naude, Tambo
\n<\/strong>
\nThe Palestinians, their progressive Israeli allies and we, their supporters, are finding Nelson Mandela when we protest against Israeli Apartheid. The Palestinians, their progressive Israeli allies and we, their supporters, are finding Walter Sisulu when we defy Israel\u2019s checkpoints, house demolitions and racist laws. The Palestinians, their progressive Israeli allies and we, their supporters, are finding Ahmed Kathrada in Israeli jails as Palestinians stand trial for simply being, Palestinian. The Palestinians, their progressive Israeli allies and, we, their supporters, are finding Oliver Tambo as we advance the international, non-violent boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel campaign.<\/p>\n

The BDS call, it is important to note, like the boycott against Apartheid was, is not being imposed on the Palestinians but is being called for by the oppressed, by the Palestinians, just as how, even though we knew it may in the short-term harm us, we ourselves as South Africans called for a boycott during the 1980s.<\/p>\n

As we gather on Liliesleaf Farm we take a moment to salute those brave White compatriots who stood up and stood out from their communities to oppose South African Apartheid. Likewise today, we salute those brave Jews and Israelis who are standing up and standing out to oppose Israeli policies of Apartheid. Those brave Jews and Israelis who refuse to tow the line of the pro-Israeli lobby organisations who support the Apartheid Israeli government are indeed finding Joe Slovo, Denis Goldberg, Ruth First and others as they choose to challenge the orthodoxies in their communities.<\/p>\n

Moving Forward from Lilies Farm
\n<\/strong>
\nThe 1963 raid on Liliesleaf farm, the subsequent Rivonia Trial and eventual imprisonment of our leaders, was a blow for our struggle. However, they also led to worldwide condemnation, mobilization, solidarity and outpouring of love and support. Last year we watched in horror as Israel bombed the Palestinian Gaza Strip that Archbishop Desmond Tutu calls the world\u2019s largest open-air prison. We watched in horror as Israel killed over 2000 Palestinians in the space of six weeks, including more than 500 children. Yes. Children.<\/p>\n

But we cannot be immobilized by Israel\u2019s brutality. In the aftermath of the Rivonia Trial, the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, and other international sports bodies began terminating South Africa\u2019s membership to these organisations. By the end of the 1970s, South Africa was largely isolated from participating in world sport. Cultural bodies around the world also terminated South Africa\u2019s membership. And a similar trend is currently taking place with regard to Israel.<\/p>\n

There is a growing momentum and tide within the world of culture for example, amongst well known sports people, celebrities, musicians, actors and comedians. From Selena Gomez to Mark Rufallo, Penelope Cruz, John Cusack, John Legend and other high profile celebrities all come out during Israel\u2019s attacks on Gaza, using social media and other platforms, on the issue of Palestine. Some have tweeted #FreePalestine while others have gone further in slamming the Israeli attacks on Gaza as a \u201cgenocide\u201d. And the number that have joined the boycott of Israel is growing on a daily basis.<\/p>\n

The groundswell of support for the Palestinian struggle and BDS campaign, coming from all quarters of the academic and cultural community and even major corporations, in many ways is a result of the practical, strategic and goal-orientated boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) of Israel movement that is capturing the world by storm. BDS offers a non-violent route and path for us to channel our energies. The boycott of Apartheid proved successful in mobilizing artists, sports people, musicians and ordinary people in the million across the world in successfully isolating South Africa and leading to the democracy that we now have. BDS is proving to do the same. Let\u2019s support the non-violent BDS campaign in an attempt to create the necessary conditions for a just peace to be negotiated for Palestinians and Israelis. A better future for all, indigenous Palestinians and Israelis, is not only an option but inevitable. Tomorrow marks the start of the 11th international Israeli Apartheid Week here in South Africa, and the call in the over 150 events and actions that will take place across South Africa will be the same: isolate Israel until Palestine is free.<\/p>\n

Read at Israeli Apartheid Week 2015 Launch Press Conference (Sunday, 01 March 2015):
\n<\/strong>
\nMANDLA MANDELA
\n(Grandson of Nelson Mandela – personal message provided)
\nSHAKA SISULU
\n(Grandson of Walter and Albertina Sisulu)
\nROSHAN DADOO
\n(Daughter of Dr Yusuf Dadoo)
\nAALIYAH KATHRADA
\n(Niece of Ahmed Kathrada)
\nOBAKENG CHIKANE
\n(Son of Reverand Frank Chikane)
\nJOHAN NAUDE
\n(Son of Dr Reverend Beyers Naude<\/p>\n

South African Organizations Endorsing Iaw (85):
\n<\/strong>
\nAction Forum Palestine (AFP)
\nAfrican National Congress (ANC)
\nAfrican National Congress Women’s League (ANC WL)
\nAfrican National Congress Youth League (ANC YL)
\nAhlul Bayt Youth Movement of South Africa (ABYMOSA)
\nAhmed Kathrada Foundation
\nAmandla
\nBotswana National Front (BNF)
\nBoycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel in South Africa (BDS South Africa)
\nCaring Women’s Forum (CWF)
\nCentre for Civil Society (CCS)
\nChemical Energy Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU)
\nCommunication Workers Union (CWU)
\nCongress of South African Students (COSAS)
\nCongress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)
\nConveyors of Hope
\nCreative Workers Union of South Africa
\nDemocratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA)
\nDurban University of Technology (DUT SRC)
\nEmbassy of Palestine in South Africa
\nFaithworks
\nFood and Allied Workers Union (FAWU)
\nFreedom For Palestine PE (FFP-PE)
\nFriends of Cuba (FOCUS)
\nJamiatul Ulama of South Africa
\nKairos Southern Africa
\nKenya Palestine Solidarity Commitee
\nKenya Palestine Solidarity Committee
\nMalaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organization
\nMangosuthu University of Technology Student Representative Council (MUT SRC)
\nMedia Review Network (MRN)
\nMkhonto WeSizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA)
\nMuslim Judicial Council (MJC)
\nMuslim Lawyers Association (MLA)
\nMuslim Professional Network (MPN)
\nMuslim Youth Movement (MYM)
\nNational Black Contractors and Allied Trades – Western Cape (NBCAT)
\nNational Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU)
\nNational Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA)
\nNational Union of Mineworkers (NUM)
\nPalestine Solidarity Alliance (Benoni)
\nPalestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA Gauteng)
\nPalestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA PE)
\nPalestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA Port Shepstone)
\nPalestine Solidarity Campaign Cape Town (PSC CT)
\nPeople Against Suffering Oppression and Poverty (PASSOP)
\nPietermaritzburg For Palestine (PMB4PALESTINE)
\nPolice and Prison Civil Right Union (POPCRU)
\nRhodes University Palestine Solidarity Forum (Rhodes PSF)
\nRunners For The Freedom of Palestine
\nRustenburg Palestine Solidarity Forum (Rustenburg PSF)
\nSouth African Artists Against Apartheid (SAAAA)
\nSouth African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU)
\nSouth African Communist Party (SACP)
\nSouth African Council of Churches (SACC)
\nSouth African Council of Churches Youth Forum (SACCYF)
\nSouth African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU)
\nSouth African Informal Traders Alliance.
\nSouth African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU)
\nSouth African National Defence Union (SANDU)
\nSouth African National Women’s Muslim Forum (SANWMF)
\nSouth African Students Congress (SASCO)
\nSouth African Union of Students (SAUS)
\nStellenbosch University Palestine Solidarity Society (SU PSS)
\nSteve Biko Foundation
\nStop The JNF
\nSwaziland Solidarity Network (SSN)
\nUKZN Theology & Development Programme [UKZN-T&D]
\nUnion of Muslim Students Association (MSA)
\nUniversity of Cape Town Palestine Solidarity (UCT PSF)
\nUniversity of Johannesburg Palestine Solidarity Forum (UJ PSF)
\nUniversity of Pretoria PSC
\nUniversity of South Africa SRC (UNISA SRC)
\nUniversity of Western Cape Palestine Solidarity Association (UWC PSA)
\nUniversity of Western Cape SRC (UWC SRC)
\nVaal Muslim Womens Forum (MWF)
\nWits University Palestine Solidarity Committee (Wits PSC)
\nWorkers World Media Productions (WWMP)
\nWorld Federation of Trade Union (WFTU)
\nYoung Communist League of South Africa (YCL)
\nZaytoun South Africa<\/p>\n

Go to Original \u2013 pambazuka.net<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It is the Israeli Apartheid Week in South Africa. The children of celebrated liberation heroes have come out to support the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel, denouncing the Jewish state\u2019s brutal colonial occupation of Palestine. The campaign is supported by 85 South African organizations and institutions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[54],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54737","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-palestine-israel-gaza-genocide"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54737"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54737\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}