WEDNESDAY, 29th November, was UN International Day of Solidarity.
Scores of people gathered at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Joburg to march to Constitutional Hill in solidarity with Palestinian people.
Activists representing unions, civil groups and political parties traveled from outside the province to voice their anger towards Israel.
Following an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel, reports indicate around 1 200 people were killed.
In retaliation, Israel bombed Gaza, home to about two million Palestinians, resulting in more than 15 000 Palestinian casualties, including over 8 000 children.
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The South African Federation Trade Unions (Saftu) general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, said more people must be on the streets daily protesting against the slaughter of people.
“We must make sure that we continue this mobilisation. Everyday there must be at least 1 000 of us next to the American embassy in Sandton and in Pretoria to show that it is enough with the killing of people of Palestine,” he said.
Shaheen Khan from Potch for Palestine said it was a duty to be part of the march.
“We are here in solidarity with the people of Palestine. We brought three Sprinters (minibus taxis) that is about 70 people from Potchefstroom,” he said.
Shaheen said there were about 21 organisations which have demonstrated against Israel.
“And we've been conducting many protests as-well. We had a big march in support of the people,” Khan said.
He said the government delays to completely cut ties with Israel was deliberate.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula reiterated calls for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be arrested for war crimes.
He said if the International Criminal Court (ICC) can issue a warrant of arrest for Russian President Vladimir Putin they should do the same to Netanyahu.
“Netanyahu must be arrested now,” Mbalula said with the crowd cheering.
The temporary ceasefire between the two countries facilitated the exchange of held hostages.
