ANC reaffirms solidarity with Palestine

IN A DISPLAY of international solidarity, the KwaZulu-Natal ANC hosted a delegation from Fatah, a Palestinian political party, at its offices in Dr Pixley Ka-Isaka Seme House in the Durban CBD on Monday.

- MONISHKA GOVENDER and NADIA KHAN

The engagement underscored South Africa’s continued commitment to strengthening historical ties, and provided a platform to reaffirm the country’s shared struggles for justice, liberation, and human rights.

Michael Mabuyakhulu, the ANC provincial coordinator, expressed the deep-rooted connections between the struggles faced by South Africans during their own fight against apartheid and the current plight of the Palestinian people.

He highlighted the ANC’s efforts to lead the global movement to isolate oppressive regimes, evoking a vision of unity between all oppressed groups.

“Our struggle will not be complete without the liberation of all oppressed people in the world, including Palestine,” said Mabuyakhulu.

“It is therefore regrettable that some people who we thought were with us during the liberation Struggle are now turning their backs on the people of Western Sahara. We want to assure you that the ANC never abandoned the people of Western Sahara. We will never abandon the people of Palestine. We are not alone in this quest in our solidarity with the people of Palestine. All progressive and peace loving people across the world are behind this structure.”

He spoke about heartbreaking images of malnutrition among children and the frantic rush for food aid in conflict zones.

“So remember we will always stand with the people of Palestine for loving and progressive humanity.”

Jibril Rajoub, secretary-general of Fatah Movement, which is the second-largest party in the Palestinian Legislative Council, said South Africa was celebrating its 60th anniversary of alliance this year.

“Your government’s policies are really for reliability and global peace. Many countries behave as if nothing is going on and they don’t even want to see. I know that the ANC stands with solidarity groups.