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 ends at 6pm on Monday 15th of May (with an event at the Women’s Jail, Constitution Hill, 11 Kotze Street, Johannesburg, click here for event info).

Others to have endorsed the 24 hour solidarity fast with #PalestinianPoliticalPrisoners include: Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (Former African Union Chairperson), Gwede Mantashe (ANC Secretary-General), Jessie Duarte (ANC Deputy Secretary-General), Minister Edna Molewa (Head of ANC International Relations Sub Committee), Reverend Sipho Mahokoto (Uniting Reformed Church in South Africa & National Church Leaders’ Consultation Secretary), Reverend Edwin Arrison (Chairperson of the National Coalition 4 Palestine), Reverend Michael Weeder (Dean of Saint Geroges Anglican Cathedral), Ambassador Hashem Dajani (Ambassador of Palestine to South Africa, Khulekani Skosana (Secretary-General of the Congress of South African Students), Lungile Sonwabo (Economic Freedom Fighters UP Student Command), Mluleki Dlelanga (National Secretary of YCL SA), Mpho Masemola (Chairperson of the Ex Political Prisoners Association of South Africa), Nazeema Samuels (NUMSA Provincial Treasurer), Parks Tau (President of the United Cities and Local Government, Chairperson of SA Local Government Association and former Mayor of Johannesburg), Shaeera Kalla (#FeesMustFall Leader), Sidumo Dlamini (President of the Congress of South African Trade Unions) and Moses Masango  (Chairperson of Parliament’s International Relations Portfolio Committee). In addition several TV presenters, radio DJs, celebrities and members of the SA Jews for Palestine have backed the campaign. Click here for a full list of those who have embarked on the 24 hour solidarity fast with Palestinians.