Inside Politics Reporter
THE Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Spokesperson Sinawo Tambo said on Tuesday that the party welcomed the resolution of the Parliament to close the Israeli Embassy in South Africa.
This follows continued annexation of Palestinian land, killing of women and children in Gaza, “construction of settler-houses” on Palestinian land, land dispossession and bombing of hospitals in Gaza, all by Israel.
In a historic moment of humanity and solidarity, the National Assembly came together in its majority, “representative of the democratic will of the people of South Africa in their majority, and
pledged its solidarity to the people of Palestine who are currently experiencing an
ethnic cleansing and genocide at the hands of the terrorist state of Israel.”
The motion to close the Israeli Embassy, which was proposed by the President of the EFF on the 16th of November 2023 and debated, was adopted through a majority vote in Parliament.
The motion was supported by the African National Congress (ANC), the National Freedom Party (NFP), Al-Jamah , the African Transformation Movement (ATM), and the Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC).
A total of 248 members of Parliament voted in favour of the motion against 91 who voted against the motion, which has passed in its majority sought to amongst others;
a) condemn the killing of defenseless women and children in Gaza including the bombing of hospitals,
b) call on all freedom loving people of the world to support the Palestinian campaign to take back their land in all of its manifestations,
c) call upon the government to close the Israeli Embassy in South Africa until a ceasefire is agreed to by Israel and that Israel commit to binding United Nations facilitated negotiations whose outcome must be just, sustainable and lasting peace.
“The EFF wishes to commend the ANC, for not allowing itself to be manipulated by right-wing forces in Parliament, who sought to entrench divisions on a matter of humanitarian concern, and sought to divide us on pledging solidarity with Palestine, with whom we share a history of blood,
conquest and land dispossession,” Tambo said.
He said the people of Palestine have suffered immeasurable pain and suffering due to the violence of Israel for more than 75-years.
“Israel is established on the vicious and racist Zionist ideology, that has established itself on the misguided notion of ethnic superiority, at the expense of native Palestinian people,” he added.
Over the past two-months, more than 11 000 Palestinians massacred, in an unprecedented military bombardment of unarmed, innocent and helpless civilians.
In filing the motion the EFF said “the Israeli Defence Force has murdered 4,650 children, 3,145 women, 198 medics, 22 civil defence personnel and 51 journalists.
Reports have also indicated that 29,200 Palestinians in Gaza are injured.
About 3,600 people remain unaccounted for, a number which includes over 1,755 children.
In the devastation of buildings and landscapes, Israeli attacks has forced 25 hospitals and 52 health care centres out of service, while 55 ambulances were targeted by Israeli forces.
“This should tell us, in no equivocal terms, that Israel is in a war against children, hospitals, ambulances, journalists, in a general campaign to wipe Palestine off the face of the earth,” the party said.
Earlier on Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa told a joint meeting of BRICS leaders that the actions by Israel are in clear violation of international law, including the UN Charter and the Geneva Convention read together with its protocols.
“The collective punishment of Palestinian civilians through the unlawful use of force by Israel is a war crime.”
“The deliberate denial of medicine, fuel, food and water to the residents of Gaza is tantamount to genocide,” he said.
INSIDE POLITICS
