ANC pledges solidarity with Palestine

Trump warns of ‘real starvation’ in Gaza

- THOBEKA NGEMA, WILLEM PHUNGULA AND AFP

A PALESTINIAN leader has called on the ANC and South Africa to continue supporting the fight for the cause of Palestinians.

Speaking in Durban after meeting with the ANC provincial leadership, Fatah Secretary-General Jibril Rajoub thanked the ANC and South Africa for supporting their cause and asked the party to continue the support until the people of Palestine are free.

The meeting took place as US President Donald Trump warned yesterday that the people of Gaza are facing “real starvation".

Rajoub said: “I know you have always been with us. Nelson Mandela and Yasser Arafat were always together in this course. We urge the people of South Africa to continue supporting us.”

In response, the ANC’s international relations head, Dr Sbu Ndebele, assured the Palestinian leader of the party's support, saying it will never abandon the people of Palestine.

The meeting comes as it was reported that French President Emmanuel Macron has decided to recognise the State of Palestine, an announcement he is expected to make before the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in September.

Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting in Durban yesterday, Rajoub said they hope Macron will implement his commitment.

“If the international community is not going to exert any pressure on the Israelis by recognising the very existence of the Palestinian people, believe me, it means that we will keep on this vicious cycle,” Rajoub said.

He said he hopes and wants to be optimistic that Macron will do it. He also hopes the rest of the European Union countries will do the same.