BDS

NEWS LETTERS 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Mandela’s speech from today’s Palestine protest (full text)
Below find the speech by Chief Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, the grandson of South African icon Nelson Mandela, which he delivered at today’s over 5000 person Palestine solidarity protest in Cape Town. The protest, organized by the MJC and others, was against Israel’s siege on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and recent restriction on movement and religion as well as the Israeli regime’s increased violence against the Palestinians which have left four young Palestinians dead since last week. The protest called for the an end of diplomatic relations with Israel and the shutting down of the South African embassy in Tel Aviv.
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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Messages of support flow in for South African Parliament

Messages of support have flowed in for the position taken by the Parliament of South Africa in rejecting a visiting Israeli delegation. Fateh, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and sister-party to South Africa’s governing ANC, has written to the SA Parliament saying:
“Fateh commends the parliament of South Africa for sending a clear and strong message to the Israeli regime by refusing to meet with its officials…The decision by South Africa comes on the backdrop of SA’s ruling party’s recommendation to downgrade the South African Embassy in Tel-Aviv. We are confident that we will see continued downgrading of relations between the two countries as a demonstration of disapproval by South Africa to the unacceptable treatment by Israel…we salute all South African solidarity organizations, human rights groups, the local BDS movement, trade unions and others who have remain resolute in their support of the Palestinian struggle against Israeli Apartheid.” (Click here for the full letter by Fateh.)

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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]South African Jews welcome Parliament’s rejection of Israeli invite

We, as Jewish South Africans, warmly welcome the decision by the Parliament of South Africa to shun a visiting Israeli delegation to the country. We join the chorus of South Africans in saying: “no normal relations with an abnormal Israeli state!”.
Like the recommendation to downgrade our embassy in Tel Aviv, this rejection of the Israeli invite is a form of concrete action beyond mere rhetoric that sends a clear message to Israel that for as long as you illegally occupy Palestinian land it will not be business as usual. This decision communicates that we cannot fraternize with an occupying and oppressive Israeli state and that we, as a country, stand with the oppressed Palestinians and their progressive Jewish Israeli allies who are fighting for an end to Israeli apartheid, by advancing solidarity actions and the BDS boycott.

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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]JEWISH RABBI DENIED ENTRY TO ISRAEL OVER SUPPORT FOR BDS BOYCOTT
Israel’s Interior Minister Arye Dery and Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan have confirmed in a joint statement that a Jewish Rabbi, Presbyterian Church member and three others were prevented entry to Israel over their support for the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign. They were denied permission to board a Lufthansa flight departing from the USA, en route to Palestine-Israel (click here for more info).
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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]South African Parliament shuns Israeli delegation

The human rights and Palestine solidarity organization BDS South Africa joins fellow organiations in welcoming the South African Parliament’s shunning of a visiting Israeli delegation (click here).
The decision has been supported by the ANC parliamentary caucus that also resolved to reject the Israeli invite (click here). Various organizations, human rights groups and political parties have welcomed the move. Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela and Member of Parliament as well as Parliamentary Portfolio Committee Whip, has said: “We applaud Parliament’s decision to reject the invitation for the Israeli parliamentary delegation to visit. In so doing parliament has stayed true to Madiba’s commitment to stand by the Palestinian cause…we especially want to express our gratitude and appreciation to the ANC parliamentary caucus for its resolute and firm stand to reject the Israeli invite and call on them to equally pressurise our ANC led government to deny [the Israeli delegation] access to our country.” (Click here)

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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Rallies in South Africa against Israeli violence at Aqsa Mosque
26 July 2017 | https://tinyurl.com/y99t4nnu

Later today and in this week protest actions are being rolled out in Cape Town, Johannesburg and other South African cities against Israel’s siege on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and recent restriction on movement and religion as well as the Israeli regime’s increased violence against the Palestinians which have left four young Palestinians dead in less than a week.

Here are some of the protests taking place:
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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]VIDEO FROM THE ARCHIVES: NELSON MANDELA SPEAKING ON PALESTINEMandela’s speech from today’s Palestine protest (full text)
This week as we marked the UN International #MandelaDay on 18 July we were also reminded of Madiba’s unflinching support for the Palestinian struggle against, in his words, Israeli “colonialism“.

In 1990 Mandela participated in a town hall meeting in New York City, chaired by Ted Koppel of ABC Networks. The interview focuses on, among other issues, Mandela’s call for boycotts and sanctions against Apartheid South Africa as well as his backing of the Palestinian struggle against Israel oppression.
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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Mandela’s speech from today’s Palestine protest (full text)
Below find the speech by Chief Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, the grandson of South African icon Nelson Mandela, which he delivered at today’s over 5000 person Palestine solidarity protest in Cape Town. The protest, organized by the MJC and others, was against Israel’s siege on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and recent restriction on movement and religion as well as the Israeli regime’s increased violence against the Palestinians which have left four young Palestinians dead since last week. The protest called for the an end of diplomatic relations with Israel and the shutting down of the South African embassy in Tel Aviv.
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Israel kills 3 Palestinian youth [& update on Jerusalem/Aqsa protests]

Yesterday Israel killed three Palestinian youth – Muhamd Mahmoud Sahraf (18), Muhamad Mahmoud Khalaf (17) and Muhamad Hasan Abu Ghanam (20). From South Africa, we send our sincere condolences and strength to the families of the deceased.
Palestinians had to bury their dead within a very short space of time in order to prevent Israel from confiscating the corpses. In a video posted online, the body of Muhamad Ghanam can be seen being hurled over a wall to prevent Israeli forces from seizing the corpse (click here). Israel has cruelly embarked on the practice of withholding the bodies of dead Palestinians as a form of…… (Read more)

 

 

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PALESTINIAN YOUTH ACTIVISTS ON TOUR IN SOUTH AFRICA [JANNA JIHAD & AHED TAMIMI]
Palestinian youth activists Janna Jihad (11) and Ahed Tamimi (16) are in South Africa on a two week speaking tour. They are being hosted by various organisations with events in several cities. Click here for a SABC TV news clip with Jihad and Tamimi at the Hector Pieterson Youth Museum in Soweto.

We welcome Jihad and Tamimi to our country. They remind us of our own brave youth who were at the forefront of the struggle against apartheid. More information is available ….(Read more)

 

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Rallies in South Africa against Israeli violence at Aqsa Mosque

26 July 2017 | https://tinyurl.com/y99t4nnu

Later today and in this week protest actions are being rolled out in Cape Town, Johannesburg and other South African cities against Israel’s siege on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and recent restriction on movement and religion as well as the Israeli regime’s increased violence against the Palestinians which have left four young Palestinians dead in less than a week.

Here are some of the protests taking place: ….(Read more)

 

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VIDEO: Nelson Mandela speaking on Palestine

This week as we marked the UN International #MandelaDay on 18 July we were also reminded of Madiba’s unflinching support for the Palestinian struggle against, in his words, Israeli “colonialism“.

In 1990 Mandela participated in a town hall meeting in New York City, chaired by Ted Koppel of ABC Networks. The interview focuses on, among other issues, Mandela’s call for boycotts and sanctions ….(Read more)

 

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CHURCH BODY WITH 80 MILLION MEMBERS TAKES ACTION SUPPORTING PALESTINIANS

The General Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), representing over 80 million Christians, has called on its members and member churches to take action in support of the Palestinian people living under Israeli occupation and oppression (click here).

The WCRC held its 26th General Council this past week in Leipzig (Germany) where, among other speakers were BDS South Africa’s Chairperson, Professor Farid Esack

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GOOD NEWS: MENNONITE CHURCH VOTES TO DIS-INVEST FROM COMPANIES INVOLVED IN ISRAELI OCCUPATION

The Mennonite Church of the USA, with over 75000 members, has voted by an overwhelming 98% majority to dis-invest from companies involved in the Israeli occupation of Palestine. At its conference last week in Orlando, 548 delegates voted in favour of the resolution, 12 delegates voted against and 1 abstained. The resolution has called on “individuals and congregations to avoid the purchase of products associated with acts of violence or policies of military occupation, including items produced in [Israeli] settlements”….(Read more)

 

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LEADERSHIP OF AFRICAN INDEPENDENT CHURCHES LENDS SUPPORT TO BDS BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINIAN STRUGGLE

Attached find a statement by Bishop Dr. Thami Ngcana of the Council of African Independent Churches (CAIC).

The leadership of CAIC among other South African churches and Christian leaders, including Bishop Ngcana, recently returned from a solidarity trip to Palestine. On his return Bishop Ngcana explained that: “The church leadership found Israeli abuses of Palestinian human rights to be appalling……(Read more)

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]SOUTH AFRICA’S GOVERNING ANC PARTY ADOPTS RECOMMENDATION TO DOWNGRADE EMBASSY IN ISRAEL

South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), at its National Policy Conference (NPC), has adopted a recommendation by branches and provinces to downgrade the SA Embassy in Israel.

 

The ANC holds a major policy conference every five years where policy recommendations are debated and forwarded to the party’s elective congress which will take place in December. There were, ….(Read more)

 

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BDS PALESTINE SOLIDARITY ACTIVISTS HOLD SUCCESSFUL MEETING WITH SAFA OVER ILLEGAL ISRAEL SOCCER TEAMS AHEAD OF FIFA MEETING

Ahead of the upcoming FIFA congress human rights, BDS and Palestine solidarity activists have held several meetings with national football associations around the world. Activists across the globe, including in Belgium, Japan, Malaysia, Italy, Germany and France among others, have been meeting and engaging with their respective football associations ahead of the crucial meeting taking place this week. BDS South Africa is ……. (Read more)

 

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SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT MINISTERS, MEDIA PERSONALITIES AND ACTIVISTS COMMIT TO 24 HOUR FAST IN SOLIDARITY WITH PALESTINIANS

South African government ministers are lending their support to the over 1500 #PalestinianPoliticalPrisoners currently on hunger strike (since 17 April). The #PalestinianPoliticalPrisoners, who have gone without any food for almost a month now, are demanding an end to Israel’s detention without trial among other issues.

Some of the government officials who will be participating in the nationwide 24 hour fast in solidarity with #PalestinianPoliticalPrisoners include Dr Aaron Motsoaledi (Minister of Health), Ayanda Dlodlo (Minister of Communications), (Read more)

 

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DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA CYRIL RAMAPHOSA GOES ON HUNGER STRIKE WITH PALESTINIAN PRISONERS

Deputy President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, has thrown his weight behind #PalestinianPoliticalPrisoners Israeli jails who are on a hunger strike (for 28 days now) in protest against Israel’s practice of detention without trial among other human rights violations (click here).
SA’s Deputy President together with several Government Ministers have joined a 24 hour fast in solidarity with the Palestinians. It is the first time in South African history that such a significant number of the country’s ministers and other government officials are going on such a hunger strike. The fast started today (14th of May) and  (Read more)

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STATEMENT ON #PALESTINIANPOLITICALPRISONERS BY SA’S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS DEPUTY MINISTER

Below is a message that the Free #PalestinianPoliticalPrisoners campaign has received from South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and ANC NEC member, Nomaindia Mfeketo.

Mfeketo is on a 24 hour solidarity #DignityStrikeSA fast together with South Africa’s Deputy President and various other Cabinet Ministers and Government officials in solidarity with #PalestinianPoliticalPrisoners who are on a hunger strike for 28 days now in protest against Israel’s detention without trial and other human rights violations. (Read more)

 

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VIDEO: ISRAELI SETTLER DISTRIBUTES SWEETS TO “CELEBRATE” MURDER OF 23 YEAR OLD PALESTINIAN YOUTH

On Thursday this week (18 May 2017, an Israeli settler distributed chocolates to “celebrate” the killing of a Palestinian youth, Muataz Shamsa (23). The Israeli settler can be seen, in a video posted online, saying: “We killed a Palestinian vandal today…I am distributing candy to celebrate the killing. I want to congratulate the Israeli people for the vandal’s death.” (Read more)

 

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SOUTH AFRICAN FILMMAKER WITHDRAWS FROM ISRAELI LGBT FILM FESTIVAL

Respecting the Palestinian BDS boycott of Israel, award-winning South African film director, John Trengove (@johntrengove), has withdrawn from the upcoming Israeli LGBT Tel Aviv film festival​ ​and requested that his​ ​​feature​ film, The Wound, not be screened at the festival’s opening night gala​.
Trengove​’s controversial feature, The Wound (Inxeba)​ ​which is set in the context of the Xhosa (Read more)

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SALUTE, LOVE AND RESPECT FROM SOUTH AFRICA TO PALESTINIAN STUDENTS WHO BOYCOTTED ISRAEL AT ICC
South African students have applauded their Palestinian counterparts who boycotted Israel at the recent International Criminal Moot Court Competition held at the Hague in the Netherlands.

The Palestinian team (from Birzeit University near Ramallah), who won the award for “Best Written Memorial for the Defense”, successfully made it to the quarter-final of the international competition. (Read more)

 

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PALESTINIAN CHRISTIANS CALL ON THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES TO “INTENSIFY” BDS BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL
In an impassioned letter, Palestinian Christians have called on the World Council of Churches (WCC) to take concrete measures against Israel until it abides by international law. Their letter, which has been published online, reads:

“Things are beyond urgent. We are on the verge of a catastrophic collapse. As a Palestinian Christian community, this could be our last opportunity to save the Christian presence in this land. Our only hope as Christians comes from the fact that in Jerusalem, the city of God, and our city, there is an empty tomb, and Jesus Christ who triumphed over (Read more)

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THANKS TO SA COMEDIANS JOEY RASDIEN, MASHABELA GALANE, KAGISO LEDIGA, THABANG ER, STIG DLAMINI… 

The third “Apartheid Ain’t Funny” Palestine solidarity comedy show, part of the annual #IsraeliApartheidWeek campaign, took place last night in Pretoria.

A big shout out and a humble thanks to the comedians Mashabela Galane, Joey Rasdien, Kagiso Lediga, Thabang ER, Muzi Dlamini, Mo Mothebe, Stig Dlamini and others. Salute for championing the Palestinian cause!…. (Read more)

 

 

 

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IN HIS FINAL SHOW, ISRAELI TV  HOST CALLS ON ISRAELIS TO WAKE UP AND SMELL THE APARTHEID

An Israeli comedian and television host used the final episode of his late-night show to criticize the country’s treatment of Palestinians, saying: “Are you kidding? Apartheid has been here [in Israel] for ages. Ages. It’s just that we’re on the good side, so it doesn’t really bother us.”

Assaf Harel, the host of the night-time comedy show “Good Night With Assaf Harel,” in his final show, …. (Read more)

 

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SOUTH AFRICA REPRESENTED IN THE UK AND FRANCE THIS ISRAELI APARTHEID WEEK

The 13th international #IsraeliApartheidWeek (IAW) campaign kicked off globally last night in London. At the launch event South Africa was represented by BDS South Africa’s Professor Farid Esack who was joined by the #BlackLivesMatter Caribbean-American award-winning poet, educator & social justice activist, Aja Monet. Esack will also be participating in a speaking tour for IAW between 28 February and 4 March in the UK.

In addition Hargreaves Tisetso Magama (pictured above), Former Chairperson of the International Relations Portfolio Committee at the Parliament of South Africa a…….. (Read more)

 

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]FREE FILM SCREENING OF “HELL OF A JOB” – MOVIE ON THE LIFE OF SOUTH AFRICAN ICON OLIVER TAMBO [20 FEB, JHB]

As we celebrate 100 years since his birth, the year 2017 is marked as the year of “Oliver Tambo”. Tambo (1917 – 1993), one of South Africa’s most loved sons, was in many ways the father of our international anti-apartheid movement and the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Apartheid SA. Tambo was also the longest-serving President of the ANC.

Owing to his solidarity with and support for the struggle against Israeli occupation and oppression, OR Tambo is celebrated by Palestinians and Palestine solidarity activists. Palestinians, inspired by the successful boycott against Apartheid SA,……. (Read more)

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NFL FOOTBALL PLAYERS BOYCOTT ISRAEL PROPAGANDA TRIP
Several US National Football League (NFL) players have announced that they are not going to participate in a propaganda trip to Israel. The footballers, who are giving the Israeli propaganda trip a skip, include a member of the Super Bowl champions New England Patriots, Justin Forsett of Denver Broncos, Kenny Stills of the Miami Dolphins and Michael Bennett of the Seattle Seahawks. More than half of the NFL players meant to be on the trip have now abandoned the tarnished propaganda junket, which is being described as an embarrassing diplomatic “own goal” by Israel. (Read more)

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][UPDATE AND WRAP UP] WORSE THAN WE THOUGHT – MMUSI MAIMANE’S DA TRIP TO ISRAEL

The recent delegation of the DA (South Africa’s opposition party) to Israel included Alan Fischer (see picture above of Fischer together with Mmusi Maimane and Israeli politician Isaac Herzog).  Fisher is the Cape Town coordinator of Fairplay SA – a joint venture of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies and the SA Zionist Federation established to combat, according to Fisher himself: “the assault against Israel’s legitimacy being waged by the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.”

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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]INVESTIGATION: How Israel “takes down” parliamentarians & politicians

A recently released six-month investigation has exposed how the Israeli Government, Israeli Embassy officials and Israeli lobby organizations are trying to counter the growing non-violent BDS boycott of Israel movement.

The four-part investigative series, focusing on the UK, reveals an Israeli embassy agent plotting to “take down” parliamentarians, including the deputy minister for Foreign Affairs, because they are deemed barriers to Israeli policy and because of their opposition to Israel’s illegal settlements.

The release of the investigations has led to one Israeli Embassy staff member being sent back to Israel in disgrace, and a UK civil servant (who was also filmed discussing ways to discredit pro-Palestinian MPs) has resigned from her post. Click here to watch part one of the four part series.

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