*South African BDS Coalition Press Alert
20 October 2023
The SA BDS Coalition is outraged and disgusted at the continuation of Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and Israel’s attacks on the West Bank. The SA BDS Coalition is also concerned that these war crimes are being detracted from in the media by talk of “moving” Gazan Palestinians into Egypt. Forcing an entire people to move to another country at gunpoint where they will live in tents in a desert amounts to ethnic cleansing under international law and the media should not be erasing that fact.
Following the deadly Israeli bombing of the Al Ahli Arab Hospital on Tuesday, in which at least 470 people are confirmed dead, the Israeli state has today bombed the historic 5th Century Church of St. Porphyrius (Greek Orthodox) where both Christian and Muslim Palestinians were sheltering together.
We have also heard that all Gazans who have not been killed by Israel over the past week have run out of water. In many cases, households of 20 or more people have less than a glass of water left and have started digging in the sand in the hopes of finding a few brackish drops. Food is also fast running out.
UN OCHA has reported that 25% of homes (the homes of over 500 000 Palestinians) have been bombed by Israel, there have been 59 attacks on hospitals and other health facilities, 170 schools have been blown to pieces and water and sanitation facilities have been bombed.
Israel is deliberately targeting civilians, children and babies, who are being killed and are suffering extreme and terrible injuries which the bombed hospitals cannot treat – a heinous crime against humanity.
The SA BDS Coalition calls for the immediate expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa, for the SA government to implement BDS policy and calls on our government to support a resolution in UNGA to include: an immediate ceasefire, guaranteed by the UN,
Immediate entry to Gaza of life-saving humanitarian needs (incl. water, food, fuel, medicine)
UN protection for the 2.3 million Palestinian civilians trapped under siege in Gaza
An end to the siege on Gaza and a clear position rejecting any ethnic cleansing.
A full and swift investigation by the International Criminal Court into war crimes and crimes against humanity
Activate effective UN mechanisms to end and punish the crimes against humanity of genocide and apartheid, to hold their perpetrators and enablers accountable.
A comprehensive military embargo on Israel, as was done to apartheid South Africa
We ask: if the ANC government will not even expel the Apartheid Israeli ambassador at this point, where a ruthless and accelerated colonialist ethnic cleansing is being carried out in full view of the public, then when will they take any action?
Our colleague, Associate Professor Haidar Eid, is currently trapped in Gaza.
For comment:
Roshan Dadoo on 082 816 2799 (SA BDS Coalition)
Salim Vally on 082802 5936 (SA BDS Coalition)
Haidar Eid in Gaza – 972 59-944-1766
