Update

Palestinians Welcome South African Rugby Union’s Decision To Rescind Invitation a Team Representing Apartheid Israel

We thank the many South Africans, including those who campaigned against that country’s apartheid regime, for standing up for Palestinian rights and taking swift action to compel SARU to reverse the misguided decision.

Palestinians welcome the decision by the South African Rugby Union (SARU) to rescind an invitation to the Tel Aviv Heat, a team representing apartheid Israel, for the Mzansi Challenge set to kick off in March.

We thank the many South Africans, including those who campaigned against that country’s apartheid regime, for standing up for Palestinian rights and taking swift action to compel SARU to reverse the misguided decision.

SARU has done the right thing. Now SARU must take measures to ensure that this does not happen again, by immediately establishing a policy to exclude teams representing states committing war crimes and crimes against humanity such as apartheid Israel.

We join South African human rights campaigners in calling on all South African sports federations and unions to follow suit, and join efforts to expel apartheid Israel from international sporting bodies until it respects fundamental human rights, just as was done in the case of the South African apartheid regime.

Rugby should never side with apartheid.


SHARE

Stay updated!

Sign-up for news, campaign updates, action alerts and fundraisers from the BDS movement.

Subscribe Now