Thousands stand in solidarity for Palestine in Sandton
SANDTON - West Street in Sandton was shut down on Mandela Day after a Gaza protest took place outside the Israeli Embassy Trade Office on 18 July.
Thousands gathered in solidarity against the Israeli regime on the Gaza Strip.
The Johannesburg Metro police and the South African Police Services were on site.
Various speakers took to the stage chanting struggle songs and addressing the crowd.
The protestors chanted, “Hey Israel, how many kids have you killed today?” and “Palestinians are humans. Stop the genocide!”
Minister of Public Works, Thulas Nxesi addressed the crowd of protesters and said, “We acknowledge the importance played by Jewish South Africans. We will not rest until Palestine has gained its freedom.”
The Nelson Mandela Day protest for Gaza was organised by the South African Palestine solidarity and various human rights organisations in South Africa together with the Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA), Media Review Network (MRN) and others.
The main message was to call for the termination of all trade relations with Israel until it complies with international law.
UPDATE: 18 July, 2.30pm:
Although the march is not violent, the South African police are on site.
Various speakers have taken to the stage chanting struggle songs and addressing the crowd.
Minister of Public Works, Thulas Nxesi said “We acknowledge the importance played by Jewish South Africans. We will not rest until Palestine has gained its freedom.”
He further stated that the SACP called on everyone to unite against the oppression of Palestines and called for urgent intervention from the UN.
18 July, 2pm:
West Street has been closed to traffic due to the ever-increasing number of protestors at the march. According to our reporter Gugu Zwane, there are more than 300 protestors at the moment.
The protestors are carrying placards reading, “Hey Israel, how many kids have you killed today?” and “Palestinians are humans. Stop the genocide!”
It is reported that the Israeli Embassy has refused to accept the memorandum of understanding from the protestors.
We will update as the march continues.
Muslims have such double standards when it comes to “human rights”. They kill their own by the hundreds of thousands, bomb & attack non muslims worldwide daily.