By Blessing Chinagorom
President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that as emotive as the Israel-Palestine issue may be for many of the citizens, particularly given South Africa’s history of discrimination and oppression, adding that the issue must not deepen divisions between citizens.
Ramaphosa disclosed this while reacting to the demonstration across the country last week over the Israeli-Palestinian war which led to confrontation between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian supporters in Cape Town, but hailed the intervention of the Police.
Though, the President sakd the incident is troubling and unacceptable but commended all those South Africans who participated in orderly and peaceful demonstrations in several parts of the country.
He said, “Our Constitution protects everyone’s right to freedom of opinion and expression, to freedom of association and to demonstrate.
“It also requires that all demonstrations must be peaceful and that freedom of expression does not extend to the advocacy of hatred based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion that constitutes incitement to cause harm.
“There is no place in South Africa for violence or threats of violence against those who hold contrary views. Nor is there any place for any form of prejudice, racism or chauvinism.
“We are a society that prides itself on its tolerance and respect. Successive democratic administrations have upheld the constitutional rights of all individuals and groups in this country.
“We have enforced these rights through our courts, including the Equality Court, and through institutions like the South African Human Rights Commission, the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, and others”, he said.
Ramaphosa felt disappointed to read an article in a leading Israeli newspaper by a representative of a local Jewish organisation suggesting that South Africa government is ‘encouraging pogroms’ against the South African Jewish community.
He said this has never happened in the history of democratic South Africa, nor will it ever be allowed to happen. “As a government and as a people, we stand firm in our call for justice for the oppressed Palestinian people.
“For their rights and aspirations to be fulfilled, for the immediate cessation of hostilities, and for there to be accountability for the deplorable killings of civilians in this recent conflict. We maintain that peace will not be possible until Palestinians are free”.
He said support for the Palestinian struggle cannot be equated with anti-Semitism. “There is no place in our society for anti- Semitism, just as there is no place in our country for prejudice directed against any individual or community on the basis of race, religion, belief, political view or sexual orientation.
“In a free and democratic society such as ours, where divergent views are respected and protected by law, we will continue to uphold everyone’s right to advocate and demonstrate peacefully, be they pro-Israel or pro-Palestinian.
“As a people with our own painful history of discrimination, racism and prejudice, let us remember our personal duty to be tolerant and respectful of others”, he said.
South African President called to promote dialogue and meaningful engagement so that, as South Africans, citizens may work together to support the realisation of just, peaceful and secure future for the people of both Palestine and Israel.