Alwaght- South Africa’s ruling party has reiterated its unwavering support for the freedom of the Palestinians.
In a speech in Johannesburg City Hall during an event to mark the International Day of Support for the Rights of Palestinians, African National Congress (ANC) spokesperson Khusela Sangoni-khawe said: “We are pledging our support and committing ourselves to continue working with the people of Palestine and all progressive people of the world until, truly, the freedom of the Palestinians is recognized.
“We are pledging our support and committing ourselves to continue working with the people of Palestine and all progressive people of the world until, truly, the freedom of the Palestinians is recognized.
“The ANC will continue to stand on the side of all oppressed people of the world whose human rights are violated,’’ she stated.
Speaking at the same event, Nomantu Ralehoko, convener of the ANC’s International Relations Committee in Gauteng province, said they would continue to offer support to the government and people of Palestine as they strive towards nation building and freedom.
She said the relationship between South Africa and Palestine is a historic one which dates back to South Africa’s dark days of apartheid.
“As South Africans fighting against the apartheid government, we have always found continued support and strength from Palestine. Now that we have realised our freedom, how can we forget those who have supported us?” she said.
November last year, ANC welcomed senior Hamas leaders on an official visit. Khaled Meshaal, head of Hamas’s political bureau, was received by South African president Jacob Zuma, who signed a memorandum of understanding as ANC president, establishing a party-to-party relationship between the ANC and Hamas. Mr Meshaal toured South Africa giving speeches, which drew heavily on the similarities between apartheid South Africa and the Israeli regime.
ANC members and leaders are also barred from travelling to Israel as the party is in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
October last year ANC reiterated its support for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) measures against Israel at the conclusion of its National General Council.
The ANC’s assembly adopted various BDS-related positions, including discouraging travel to Israel and encouraging “disengagement on programs and activities that may impact on South Africa's solidarity with the people of Palestine.”
The ANC also called for “the isolation of the UN List of businesses that [illegally] operate in the [Israeli] occupied territories in Palestine.”