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Palestinian civil society calls on democratic South Africa to end complicity with Israeli apartheid

June 11, 2009

The Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) has released a report entitled 'Democratic South Africa’s complicity in Israel’s occupation, colonialism and apartheid', based on research from the Palestinian grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign.

 

The Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) has released a report entitled 'Democratic South Africa’s complicity in Israel’s occupation, colonialism and apartheid', based on research from the Palestinian grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign.

 

The report discusses South African economic relations with Israel as well as the related political and institutional framework. Analyzing dozens of cases of commercial ties and political initiatives, it proves once again that trade relations with Israel necessarily require involvement in or complicity with Israeli violations of human rights and international law, including assistance to Israeli occupation, colonialism and apartheid.


This report focuses exclusively on South African relations with Israel in the post-apartheid era, in an understanding that, within a context where on the ground the only deal offered to the Palestinian people are Bantustans, South African support to the Palestinian people can never offset its support to Israeli occupation and its apartheid regime. The latter rather risks contributing to the Bantustanization of Palestine.

 

It calls on South African government "to join the growing movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel, starting with:

 

At national level:

o A full ban on all products, investments and services related to the settlements,the Apartheid Wall or other Israeli policies of occupation, colonialism and apartheid;
o Cancellation of existing contracts between Israeli firms and South African public enterprises, based on the former’s involvement in grave violations of international law;
o An end to governmental trade- promoting activities;
o Immediate freeze of any ratification process of agreements and annulling their signature, especially where related to trade and investment.



Internationally:

o Promotion of and support for international calls for a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel;
o Enforcement of the 2004 Declaration on Palestine of the Non Aligned Movement Summit in Durban on the ban of products and services from the settlements;
o Promotion of the global movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel until it fully complies with its obligations under international law.


The above represent some elements for regulations which limit trade with Israel as concrete and immediate steps towards full sanctions against Israel. They would ensure that the South African government and its business community gradually end aid and assistance to Israeli occupation, colonialism and apartheid and fall in line with South
Africa’s obligations under international law, its foreign policy and its exemplary constitution.


These measures are to be upheld until Israel respects international law and human rights, in particular:
1. Ends its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantles the Wall;
2. Recognizes the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full
equality; and
3. Respects, protects and promotes the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their
homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194."

June 11, 2009
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