Launch of End the Occupation Campaign

24 May 2007

The Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is "criminal and intolerable", Intelligence Minister and African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee member Ronnie Kasrils said in Johannesburg today (24 May) at a media briefing to announce plans for a week of national protest action in solidarity with the Palestinian people from 4-9 June.

The briefing was also addressed by Palestinian Ambassador Ali Halimeh, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) President Willie Madisha and SA Council of Churches (SACC) General Secretary Eddie Makue.

The week of action coincides with activities around the world commemorating the 40th anniversary of the occupation by Israel of the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. Activities in South Africa are being coordinated by the End the Occupation Campaign, comprising almost 20 civil society organisations, social movements, solidarity organisations, political parties and faith-based organisations.

The religious community will begin the campaign. The plight of the Palestinian people and the call for an end to Israeli occupation will be highlighted in mosques on Friday, 1 June and in churches on Sunday, 3 June.

During the week beginning 4 June, there will be lunch-time pickets in various centres around the country. This will include a picket by members of Parliament and a candle-light vigil outside the US Consulate in Johannesburg. The ANC has also called for a parliamentary debate on the occupation of Palestinian territory.

On 8 June, most constituent members of the Campaign will hold pickets outside selected stores selling Israeli goods, with a call for South Africans to boycott products from Israel.

The week's events will culminate in mass marches and rallies on Saturday 9 June. In Cape Town, there will be a mass march from 10h00 to 12h00, ending with a rally. In Johannesburg, a mass rally will be held at the Johannesburg City Hall from 15h00 to 17h00. Events in other centres will be announced next week.

Organisers of the campaign expressed their shock and disgust at the seizure this morning of more than 35 Palestinian leaders, including the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nassereddin al-Shaer. He was among a delegation of three Palestinian legislators invited to South Africa to participate in the national protest action. The South African Minister of Education, Naledi Pandor, has also extended an invitation to al-Shaer to meet with her.

Palestinian Ambassador Ali Halimeh said it was now uncertain whether the detained Minister would be able to visit South Africa as planned. Kasrils wondered whether this was a preemptive action by the Israeli state to prevent al-Shaer from coming to South Africa. Halimeh said the arrests come at a time when Palestinian organisations have declared a truce. "The Israelis never wanted to see stability in the occupied territories," he said.

COSATU President Willie Madisha said protest action against Israel "must be sustained for as long as possible beyond the week we have identified. COSATU will campaign among organisations of the working class around the world to support this call." He emphasised that COSATU supported a campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel.

SACC General Secretary Eddie Makue said his organisation, together with the World Council of Churches and the Christian Council of Sweden, had made a concerted effort over the past three years to accompany Palestinians and Israelis in non-violent actions and advocacy efforts to end the occupation. The SACC, he said, was working with faith-based bodies in Israel and the Occupied Territories in this effort.

Kasrils said the response from various sectors of South African society to the campaign call had been "overwhelming".

"We are confident we'll see South Africans respond to this call in a way that has never before been seen in support of the Palestinian people," he said.

The End the Occupation Campaign includes the African National Congress, Al-Quds Foundation, ANC Women's League, ANC Youth League, COSATU, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Jamiatul Ulama, Media Review Network, Muslim Judicial Council, Muslim Students Association, Muslim Youth Movement, Not In My Name, Palestine Solidarity Alliance, Palestine Solidarity Committee, Palestine Solidarity Group, South African Communist Party, South African Council of Churches, Young Communist League.

For more information or interviews, call:
Na'eem Jeenah - 084 574 2674