5 April 2024
Hundreds of protesters march in recognition of Al-Quds Day, an international day in support of Palestine and against the Israeli occupation. Photos: Ashraf Hendricks
Hundreds of supporters of Palestine marched to Parliament on Friday, calling for an end to genocide in the Gaza Strip. The protest marked Al-Quds Day, an international day to express support for Palestine and oppose the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
Protesters gathered in Hanover Street, District Six, before proceeding to Parliament. Placards read: “Zionism is Racism” and “While you were shopping, bombs were dropping”. Some also carried body bags, representing dead children. More than 13,000 children have been killed in Gaza since 7 October.
Representatives from several political parties attended the march, including the ANC, EFF, Al Jama-ah and the PAC.
Dr Wagheda Cassiem, a committee member of the Qibla Movement, said, “We have been answering the call for solidarity to oppressed people all over the world. Many organisations have come out in support.
“This genocide hasn’t just been coming for the last six months …. We have to intensify all efforts in order to put a stop to this.”
“We have been calling on our government to sever all ties with the Zionist state of Israel. Our demand is for an end to this genocide,” she said.
“They are using starvation as a method to eliminate a population … if they are not free, how can we say that we are free?”
A memorandum of demands called on the South African government to intensify efforts to secure the end to genocide, and not just a ceasefire, and to sever all economic, military and diplomatic ties with Israel.
It also called for Palestinian political and security prisoners be released immediately.
A protester with a replica of a gun with a rose in the barrel.
Justin De Allende, from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), accepted the memorandum on behalf of Minister Naledi Pandor. He told protesters that the minister was travelling.
“I’m sure when I hand the memorandum to her she will take the contents seriously and come back to you on what actions the South African government did,” he said.
At the end of the protest, the marchers burnt an Israeli flag.
The protest ended with the participants burning an Israeli flag.