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Muslim Views . May 2019
Israeli Apartheid Week marked in South Africa ISMAIL MAHOMED
SEVENTY-ONE years on, the scourge of ethnic cleansing continues in occupied Palestine. The United Nations, International Criminal Court and a host of oppressive, so-called democratic states secretly or with a forked tongue appear to support the status quo of occupation, oppression, mass killings and disenfranchisement of the Palestinian people by Apartheid Israel. The recent resolution of the Arab League too smacks of blatant hypocrisy when some of the Middle Eastern states actually pride themselves in unsavoury relationships with Apartheid Israel and other such states. Some countries in the African Union who had for hundreds of years been colonised, raped of their resources, depopulated and bitterly oppressed, now have new ‘Black-White’ leaders who choose to continue the legacy of their colonial slave masters. These rogue states have callously chosen to motivate for observer status for Israel at the African Union. What a shame! Are not Africans capable of resolving their own problems by themselves? Among those leading the crusade to sideline the plight of the Palestinian inhabitants, happen to be the previously colonised Senegal and Zambia. Drawing attention to all of this, Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) was commemorated globally for the
Renowned literary figure and political activist, Umaruddin Don Mattera, reads from his latest book, A Song for Palestine, at the launch hosted by the Palestine Photo ISMAIL MAHOMED Solidarity Alliance, in Sophiatown, Johannesburg.
fifteenth time in over 250 cities from April 1 to 7, 2019. In a variety of ways, the people of the world were reminded of the Nakba (Catastrophe) continuously unfolding in the occupied land of Palestine. As part of the IAW programme in South Africa, a prominent activist-cum-academic, Badea Dwaik, who hails from Hebron, where Shuhada Street is located, arrived in this country. He was a guest of the Palestine Solidarity Alliance and toured the country, talking to many audiences of cultural and academic diversity. He emphasised the dictum that Palestinians will one day certainly return to their land. He also pro-
moted the idea of peaceful methods of challenging the enemy. One such campaign is the ‘through the lens’ method by which the world is able to witness first-hand the carnage and other atrocities perpetrated by the notorious Israeli regime. Apart from joining the global IAW, South Africans also commemorated Land Day on March 30. Yari Hawari, writing on Aljazeera.com sketches the background to Land Day: ‘On March 30, 1976, Israeli police shot and killed six Palestinian citizens of Israel as they were protesting the Israeli government’s expropriation of thousands of donums of Palestinian land.
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‘Since then, March 30 has been known as Land Day. It has become a major commemorative date in the Palestinian political calendar and an important event in the Palestinian collective narrative – one that emphasises Palestinian resistance to Israeli colonisation and sumud (steadfastness).’ The commemoration in South Africa was co-ordinated at Constitution Hill, in Johannesburg, by the Palestine Solidarity Alliance. A number of organisations from civil society participated in planting five olive trees to remember all the Palestinian martyrs who succumbed to the sniper fire of the Israeli Occupation Force. Those were the young and old who sacrificed their precious lives during the Great Return March, which took place a year ago, on March 30. Organisations represented here on Land Day, amongst others, were: South African Jews for a Free Palestine, represented by Allan Hurwitz; Kairos from the Christian faith, represented by Siaan van der Merwe; Palestine Youth Movement (Global), represented by Loubna Qutami; United Front; and Hebron in Occupied Palestine, represented by guest of honour, Badea Dwaik. Following the planting of the olive trees, all the delegates gathered in the Women’s Jail and were addressed by, among others, youth leader Loubna Qutami and Badea Dwaik. They elaborated on the current situation in Palestine, strategies to confront the enemy and mobilisation of the youth
throughout the world. At this point also, the presence of other Palestinian activists, including Lema Nazeeh, hosted by BDS South Africa on other programmes must be acknowledged. To crown the many activities that took place in our country, the Palestine Solidarity Alliance hosted the launch of A Song for Palestine, a book of poems on children by legendary literary figure and renowned political activist, Umaruddin Don Mattera. The function was held at the Trevor Huddleston Institute, in Sophiatown. An opportunity was also given to many a guest and friend present to rekindle striking memories of the apartheid era and the liberation struggle. Mattera is also well acquainted with the effects of colonial oppression and disenfranchisement, and an experienced fighter for liberation. He remains an icon amongst most South Africans and particularly among the oppressed. Many of the guests waited patiently in a long queue to have their purchase autographed and to interact with Mattera. The book launch was certainly an inspiring, memorable and historic event, particularly for the children of Palestine. The Palestine Solidarity Alliance together with the many unidentified activists for freedom, justice and peace in the world pray that their humble and selfless efforts will bring liberation for the people of Palestine and for other oppressed communities of the world a step closer.
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