THE pressure increased on the South African government to completely sever diplomatic relations with Israel and its companies.
This follows the march by ANC members to the Israeli Embassy in Pretoria on Friday afternoon, 20 October. The ANC is demanding the removal of the Israeli ambassador and the severance of relations with all Israeli companies.
ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji said the embassy must be closed or they would come back on Monday to do so.
"We're calling on the president of ANC and the country, Cyril Ramaphosa, to expel them immediately. The embassy must be removed with immediate effect. If he does not remove it, we will come back on Monday to remove it," he said.
He quickly turned to the police, who had erected a human shield protecting every entrance to the embassy courtyard.
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“All these policemen here represent the government. When we come back, you must be prepared because we're going to occupy this building. We're saying that President Ramaphosa must remove them with immediate effect,” he said.
Malatji said all Israeli companies or those linked to the country in the Middle East must leave the country.
"Starting with the Woolworths that you love so much. We are giving you a clear instruction that if we leave here, when you see a Woolworths, you must close it. Don’t be afraid of anyone, the ANC will protect you. We're in a revolution. We're saying that we have to stand up and act for the people of Palestine."
With national general elections nearing, the Youth League president said that a vote for the DA will support Israel because it will protect the interests of this country if it comes to power.
“If you vote for the DA, you must know that you are voting for Israeli apartheid. If the ANC goes out of power, Israel's interests will be defended by the DA," he said.
Nokuthula Nqaba of the Women’s League echoed Malatji’s remarks about the police.
“Our children are being raped by their male counterparts, but the police are here waiting and wasting state resources. Bheki Cele, we urge you to stop this, if you don’t, we will force you to stop it,” she said.
She said the Women’s League is not afraid of the police.
Ramaphosa is due to attend the Cairo Summit for Peace in Egypt to discuss the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel. Nearly 4 000 people have reportedly died since the conflict escalated.
