Picture: for illustration purposes
Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), announced a protest at the Israeli Embassy on Monday in a show of solidarity with the people of Palestine. The party has posted forthright questions about why Israel's ambassador continues to stay in the country and why South Africa maintains economic ties with Israel while thousands of civilians suffer on both sides of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Descending upon Gaza is a worsening humanitarian crisis, partially mitigated by a minor influx of medicine and food supplies ferried in by an Egyptian convoy. Echoing the growing local and global concern, EFF Member of Parliament Nazier Paulsen has extended an open invitation for various organisations and everyday South Africans to join their picket line.
Expressing his hopes for the rally, Paulsen said: “We welcome every progressive South African who feels for the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Palestine to join us in expressing the disgust we collectively feel towards the South African Government's continued relations with an apartheid state; culturally, diplomatically, and economically.”
The debate over South Africa’s relationship with Israel isn't confined to the EFF. Various human rights activists, as well as the ANC, have been vocal about their support for the Palestinian people.
Despite the impending protest, Israeli Ambassador to South Africa Eli Belotsercovsky expressed his willingness to engage in open dialogue with political parties and members of South African society, stating that their embassy in Pretoria is ready to hear differing opinions.