South Africa, along with the international community, is alarmed at US President Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in Israel, as well as his announcement that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.
Under international law East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want as the capital of their future state, is occupied territory.
According to African News Agency (ANA) sources and media reports, there are now fears of a new Palestinian uprising following violent clashes between Israeli security forces and protesting Palestinians in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on Thursday which left over 30 Palestinians injured.
On Friday, there were protests as part of a “day of rage” by Muslims in various parts of the world, including Bangladesh and Indonesia, while there have been reports of fresh clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces in the West Bank cities of Hebron, Bethlehem and Ramallah.
Hamas has called for a new Intifada (uprising) and the Palestinian Authority (PA)-affiliated Fatah movement has called for three days of rage, uniting the two erstwhile political opponents.
South African reaction to Trump’s Wednesday night announcement has also been fast and furious.
The Ahmed Kathadra Foundation has been the latest South African organisation to slam the American president’s provocative move.
“The decision by Trump is an attempt to legitimise the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel,” said the foundation in a Friday statement.
“The consequences of such a move are likely to end all attempts at peace talks between Israel and Palestine. It will also embolden right-wing reactionaries who refuse to recognise Israeli occupation for what it is,” said executive director of the Kathrada Foundation, Neeshan Balton.
“Israel has for years, through its colonial project, been implementing policies that further the Judaisation of Jerusalem.
“The decision by the US will cement its efforts to occupy land that rightfully belongs to Palestinians. It will also enhance Israel’s efforts to try and erase Palestinian history and culture in occupied East Jerusalem.”
On Thursday, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), the South African chapter of the Boycott, Disinvestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, and the United Ulama Council of South Africa all released statements strongly condemning the move.
Outspoken Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu took it a step further, saying that “those who claim divine rights for themselves to physical property on earth are false prophets”.
“God does not discriminate between Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Taos and atheists – or any other people,” said Tutu in a statement.
The Kathadra Foundation’s fears of an end to the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians comes simultaneously as Saturday marks the 30th anniversary of the first Palestinian uprising against the Israeli occupation which broke out in 1987.
“We’ve been put on emergency alert and everybody’s leave has been cancelled,” Palestinian nurse Ameen Al Teel told the ANA during an interview from the occupied West Bank.
“I was hoping to spend the weekend with my family but had to leave Hebron in the south where my home is and rush back to Ramallah Hospital, one and a half hours away,” said Al Teel.
“On Thursday we treated many injured, including those suffering from gunshot wounds. But Friday after prayers will be even worse as that is the day when protests are held – even under normal circumstances.”
Murad Shitawi, a Fatah protest organiser in the village of Kafr Qaddoum in the northern West Bank, warned that things would not calm down after the planned three days of rage.
“There will be follow up action and protests. The situation is not going to calm down, Jerusalem is a red line and many Palestinians are prepared to give their lives in defence of our holy city,” Shitawi told ANA.
In preparation for a possible tidal wave of protests the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has sent extra battalions to the occupied territory, while the police in Jerusalem are on high alert.
– African News Agency (ANA),
