A police officer walks past a symbolic protest of the dead bodies of Palestinians and Lebanese killed by Israel. Photos: Ihsaan Haffejee
By Ihsaan Haffejee – this post was first published on GroundUp: summary below by Vuka.news
- Protest at Israeli Embassy: Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria, demanding that South Africa cut diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.
- Organizers and Participants: The protest was organized by South Africa’s Lebanese community and Palestinian solidarity groups, showing support for the cause.
- Police Presence: Police closely monitored the demonstration, blocking the entrance to the embassy.
- Massarah Rajeb’s Statement: Massarah Rajeb, a South African of Lebanese descent, said Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon motivated her activism: “There are many people around the world, especially in Palestine and Lebanon, who no longer have a voice. So we need to be their voices and demand a permanent ceasefire.”
- Roshan Dadoo’s Perspective on U.S. Policy: Roshan Dadoo, SA BDS Coalition coordinator, doubted U.S. policy on Israel would change, regardless of administration: “Obviously Trump is an outright fascist and really we can’t expect anything from him. But under Biden we saw bombs being delivered from America which are being used to commit genocide. So it’s unlikely that the policy of America will change.”
- Call for South African Government Action Dadoo urged the South African government to: resist U.S. pressure over its genocide case against Israel, stop coal sales to Israel, enact trade and arms embargoes against Israel.
- Testimony from Gaza Resident, Seham Hijji: Seham Hijji, a Gaza resident who escaped the war, shared her experience: “All my family is still in Gaza. We have lost many loved ones and been displaced many times. [Israel’s] goal is to kill children and starve the people of Gaza. But the people of Gaza remain steadfast on our land.”
- Call for Boycotts: Hijji encouraged people to boycott products and companies linked to the occupation of Palestine.
- Protest Messaging: Protesters placed stickers on the Israeli embassy sign with statements such as: “Israel burns hospitals, Israel kills journalists, Israel attacks UN, and Israel starves children.”
- Commitment to Continued Protest: The protest concluded peacefully, with demonstrators promising to keep protesting against the war in Gaza and Lebanon.
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