aneleOn this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation joins millions of people across the globe to call for an end to the occupation and genocide in Palestine.
As the UN Secretary General- in an official statement- states: “Every year on this day, the international community stands in solidarity for the dignity, rights, justice, and self-determination of the Palestinian people. This year’s commemoration is especially painful as those fundamental goals are as distant as they have ever been.”
The UN SG statement continues:
Yet, more than a year later, Gaza is in ruins, more than 43,000 Palestinians – mostly women and children – have been reportedly killed, and the humanitarian crisis is getting worse by the day. This is appalling and inexcusable. Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli military operations, settlement expansion, evictions, demolitions, settler violence and threats of annexation are inflicting further pain and injustice. It is past time for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages; an end to the unlawful occupation of the Palestinian Territory – as confirmed by the International Court of Justice and the General Assembly; and irreversible progress towards a two-State solution, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions – with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, and Jerusalem as the capital of both States.
The massive displays of solidarity with the Palestinian People are unprecedented and was last seen during the global opposition to apartheid in South Africa. That solidarity coupled with internal resistance to apartheid ensured the downfall of the system decried by the world to be a crime against humanity. The darkness of the genocide is pierced by the slivers of light that comes from the participation of tens of thousands of Jewish people marching and demonstrating against the occupation and genocide.
The arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, further highlights the world’s solidarity and calls for accountability. We call its unconditional enforcement by all who stand for adherence to the norms of International Law.
The call from the South African Government on this day is one that should be acknowledged and supported:
“In keeping with South Africa’s long-term and principled support for the Palestinian people, the Government of South Africa remains committed to supporting initiatives aimed at refocusing the international agenda on Palestine and a revived Middle East peace process. In the context of the Israeli illegal occupation of Palestine and daily atrocities being committed, South Africa reiterates our appeal for an immediate cease-fire in Palestine and Lebanon, and the start of a political process to ensure a just and lasting peace. The international community must work tirelessly in assisting the Palestinian people to achieve their aspirations of freedom, justice, and an independent Palestinian State.” (DIRCO statement on the International Day of Solidarity 2024)
The AKF especially welcomes the launch of the South African Chapter of the Global Anti-Apartheid Movement for Palestine, officially launched today at Freedom Park. Let’s work to ensure that this movement grows to be bigger than the anti-apartheid movement that helped bring down apartheid in South Africa. It will need to extend support for the Palestinian cause way beyond those who are currently advocates of Palestinian freedom.
We honour the courage and resilience of the Palestinian people. We urge individuals, governments, and organisations around the world, to actively support their fight for freedom, dignity, and peace. On this day, let us recommit ourselves to building a world where human dignity wins the day, and apartheid regimes have no place.
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Issued by The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
For media inquiries, please contact:
Anele Gcwabe
Communications Manager
Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
083-278-8832
anele@kathradafoundation.org
