Cape Town crowd rallies for Palestine, Francesca Albanese's powerful message

INTERVENING for Palestine is not an act of charity, but an act of uniting the struggles, says UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese.

- THEOLIN TEMBO

UNITED NATIONS Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, speaks at Die Groote Kerk in Cape Town.

(ARMAND HOUGH Independent Newspapers)

She made the remarks when addressing a packed Groote Kerk on Sunday. During her discussion on justice, accountability, and the future of international law in the face of ongoing apartheid and genocide in Palestine, she encouraged people to use the power of their consumerism and to protest with their rands. The proceedings first began with a recollection of the history of the church, a reading from various interfaith leaders, performances of poems and music.

Shortly after Albanese's arrival, Reverend Rene August from SA Christians for a Free Palestine apologised to her for the court papers that were delivered by a sheriff acting on an unauthorised instruction issued by an official in the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.