News24 | Thousands march in Cape Town as activists demand SA imposes sanctions on Israel

Thousands of people marched in solidarity for Palestine in central Cape Town on Saturday.

• Thousands of pro-Palestine supporters rallied on Saturday for a mass march in Cape Town.
• It comes amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
• Demonstrators will be handing over a memorandum to Parliament.

Thousands of pro-Palestine supporters filled the streets of Cape Town on Saturday for a mass march in solidarity with Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The demonstration was organised by the Al-Quds Foundation South Africa, the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC), and various civil society organisations.

Protesters gathered at the Muir Street Mosque in the city centre before marching to Parliament to hand over a memorandum.

Speaking to News24, PSC coordinator Usuf Chikte said they want the South African government to impose stronger sanctions on Israel.

“Just like happened during apartheid, South Africa was isolated. Boycott divestment and sanctions were applied to South Africa, and they were expelled from the UN.

“We want to invoke that on Israel through the domestication into our own laws in South Africa. That is the overarching demand we want,” he said.

Chikte added that the time for talking was over - it was time for the government to take “urgent and decisive action”.

Demonstrators, waving Palestinian flags and carrying posters that read “Gaza children are innocent” and “Dismantle the Israeli state”, marched in their thousands.

At the front of the protest, a motorcade led chants of “From the river to the sea”.

MJC president Shaykh Riad Fataar said: “The recent escalation of atrocities in Gaza, where entire communities are facing bombardment, starvation and the collapse of basic humanitarian infrastructure, is the culmination of this long trajectory of violence.”

Participants emphasised the need for continued action.

Shahieda Karaan, from Strand, said: “I feel glad that people came out today. But I’m also disappointed in what is going on. This should not be a once-off protest... we must keep it going.”

Cassiem Gamiet, from Lentegeur, Mitchell’s Plain, said: “All I can say is that I am glad people are showing support and solidarity for the people of Palestine, especially in Cape Town and South Africa. We must stand with Palestine to highlight their pain and suffering.”

Meanwhile, the SA Zionist Federation slammed the demonstration as a “rally that glorifies terror”.

In a statement sent to News24, the federation’s national spokesperson, Rolene Marks, said: “Such rhetoric achieves nothing for Palestinians. It does not bring peace closer. It does not improve lives. It only poisons South African society, turning our streets into stages for extremist theatre and sowing hatred between communities.

“South Africa’s democracy was built on freedom, equality and co-existence. To glorify terrorism while demonising Israel is to betray those values and to replace the dream of peace with the language of hate,” it said.