South Africans march for Palestine's freedom
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The Palestine Solidarity Alliance organizes a walk in support of Palestine and hosts guests to highlight Israeli violations committed against Palestinians.
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Participants paid tribute to Palestinian martyrs and prisoners in Israeli occupation prisons
The Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) in South Africa organized Sunday its 13th Annual Palestine Walk for Freedom at Rose Park in the city of Lenasia.
Participants marched for a route of approximately 7.5 kilometers and raised Palestinian flags and banners in support of the Palestinian cause, while also paying tribute to Palestinian martyrs and prisoners in Israeli occupation prisons.
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The event also hosted international and national guests who highlighted the Israeli occupation violations committed against the Palestinian people and focused on injustices in other parts of the world.
According to the PSA, "The event aims to create awareness and stir consciences about the horrendous scourge of apartheid being perpetrated on the people of Palestine."
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The PSA considers that the Israeli occupation crimes "are familiar to us as South Africans who have lived under Apartheid and dealt with its legacy. Our struggle is their (Palestinian) struggle."
🇵🇸🇿🇦 PSA 13th Annual #Palestine Walk took place at Rose Park #Lenasia today. 🇦🇫Our guest, Nadima Noor met with learners; joined media panel with Hassan Lorgat, Anwar Jhetham, Roshan Dadoo, Stiaan van der Merwe. @psa_yl @PSA_SouthAfrica @pontymoletsane1 #HumanitarianJournalism pic.twitter.com/lMboYa5ueq
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) September 25, 2022
South Africa and the Palestinian Cause
South Africa has supported the Palestinian cause since the two sides established formal diplomatic relations in 1995, a year after the end of the Cape Town apartheid regime. South Africa also downgraded its diplomatic representation in "Tel Aviv" in 2019 and withdrew its ambassador.
South Africans march in support of the Palestinian people and their struggle for freedom. pic.twitter.com/IBMDGlqtTZ
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) September 25, 2022
Most recently, South Africa's International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor pointed out at the South Africa-US Strategic Dialogue, that "the people of Palestine deserve their territory and freedom."
Pandor is well-known for expressing her views in support of the Palestinian cause. During the second meeting of the Palestinian Heads of Mission in Africa, held in the capital Pretoria last month, she said “The Palestinian narrative evokes experiences of South Africa’s own history of racial segregation and oppression.”
In June, Pandor called on the international community to act to put an end to the ongoing injustice faced by the Palestinian people and to hold "Israel" accountable for the inhumane conditions that the Palestinian people have been subjected to for 73 years.
She was also the first representative of the South African government to denounce the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in May by Israeli forces during a raid on the West Bank.
It is noteworthy that last year, South Africa condemned the unilateral decision taken by the African Union (AU) Commission to grant “Israel” an observer status in the AU.
"The decision to grant ‘Israel’ observer status is even more shocking in a year in which the oppressed people of Palestine were hounded by destructive bombardments and continued illegal settlements of the land," South Africa's Foreign Affairs Ministry said.
