Riyaz Patel
The African National Congress (ANC) has, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment to stand firmly on the side of the people of Palestine in their struggle to achieve freedom and self-determination.”
South Africa’s ruling party said it has consistently stated its profound opposition to the “gross human rights abuses and colonial occupation” of Palestine by Israel.
“A heartless campaign of systematic land dispossessions, ongoing human rights violations, state-sponsored violence against innocent civilians are the harsh realities faced by the people of Palestine on a daily basis.”
It added, “As the ANC, we will never forget that the Palestinians were at the forefront of the international movement against the apartheid regime.”
The party urged all its structures, alliance partners and all freedom-loving people of the world to remain steadfast in their “collective solidarity with the people of Palestine.”
The ANC called on the United Nations to put “relentless pressure on the Israeli regime to stop its campaign of repression and ruthless brutality against the people of Palestine.”
“As South Africans, we recall how the international community’s solidarity with the oppressed people of South Africa during the dark days of apartheid contributed towards breaking the back of the apartheid regime,” the ANC said.
The ANC pointed out that as part of its practical expression of solidarity with the people of Palestine, the party’s 54th National Conference resolved to direct the South African government to immediately and unconditionally downgrade the South African Embassy in South Africa to a Liaison Office.
“Downgrading the Embassy is a practical act of solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine in the face of injustices and atrocities meted out against innocent civilians.”
The ANC believes that peace and justice will only be achieved when the rights of the people of Palestine to their land and freedom are recognized, and when Israel complies with international law.
