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From: "R A I N" <abie@iafrica.com><br>
Subject: The RAIN Newsletter (2-6-5)<br>
Date: Thu, 2 Jun 2005 11:44:21 +0200<br><br>
</font><font size=2><b>Media Release: PSC calls for resignation of ANC
politicians ‘with conscience’<br>
</b> <br>
</font><font size=2 color="#FF0000"><b>Issued by the Palestine Solidarity
Committee (South Africa) Date: 1 June 2005<br><br>
</b></font><font face="arial" size=2>The Palestine Solidarity Committee
is shocked to hear reports that the South African government is resuming
security cooperation with Israel. Israel’s <i>Haaretz </i>newspaper has
reported that a ‘senior delegation’ from South Africa’s Ministry of
Defence is due in Israel. The delegation will include representatives of
South Africa’s armaments manufacturers and will be hosted by Israel’s
Defence Ministry Director General, Amos Yaron. The newspaper quotes
Israeli sources as saying that cooperation on military matters between
the two states is on the cards.<br><br>
</font>At a time when our country is focussed on corruption and arms
deals, it is ironic that we choose to deal in armaments with a morally
corrupt government. It seems that our politicians, in their obscene haste
to enrich a few, have lost their principles and moral bearing,
squandering the legacy of those who gave their lives for a South Africa
that values justice and solidarity here and around the world. We view the
actions of our government as being akin to spitting on the graves of our
martyrs and to be totally disrespectful of the wishes of those who were
oppressed under apartheid. It is also a slap in the face for Palestinians
who considered our government to be supportive of their just demands and
who look to the South African struggle with admiration and as a moral
victory for all oppressed people around the world. <br><br>
It is unconscionable that the ANC government, which has pledged its
support for a just resolution of the Palestinian struggle for human
rights and sovereignty and which is very vocal in international fora on
the need for adherence to international law, can recommence military
links with Israel. South Africa, under apartheid, had strong military and
nuclear cooperation with Israel. Our democratic government claimed that
it ceased all military ties and supply of weapons components to Israel by
the late1990s. There can be no reason to resume those links now. This
decision also contradicts the statements of ANC leaders like Minister
Ronnie Kasrils who, just a few days ago, endorsed an academic boycott of
Israel and has previously called for sanctions against Israel. Must we
now believe that our government says one thing but acts differently. Can
we trust our government in other matters?<br><br>
Has the South African government forgotten that Israel is in violation of
about 80 United Nations resolutions? Surely our government could not
forget that Israel dismissively rejected the ruling of the International
Court of Justice that Israel should dismantle its apartheid wall? After
all, South Africa made one of the strongest submissions to that court,
arguing the illegality of the wall. Has South Africa forgotten that
Israel continues to violate the Geneva Conventions and international law
generally by building illegal settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem,
in continuing to use torture against Palestinians, in maintaining a
policy of assassinations against Palestinian leaders, in maintaining the
military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, in maintaining its illegal
annexation of Jerusalem, in continuing to use collective punishment
against Palestinians? Surely, 11 years after our own emergence from
apartheid, we could not have forgotten the meaning of oppression and
injustice!<br><br>
Spokespersons of the ANC and our government have, on numerous occasions,
voiced their opposition to Israeli policies and expressed their support
for the just struggle of the Palestinian people. We call on these ANC
members to now act in terms of their consciences and resign their
positions in the South African government and in parliament.<br><br>
<b><i>For more information, conact:<br>
</i></b>Salim – 082 802 5936<br>
Na’eem – 084 574 2674<br><br>
********************************************************************<br>
RESEARCH AND INFORMATION NETWORK (RAIN)<br>
Director : Abie Dawjee<br>
P O Box 26119, Isipingo Beach, Durban, South Africa 4115.<br>
tel: 0027 31
9029174.
fax: 0027 31 9024523. <br>
mobile: 082 352 352
6
e-mail :
<a href="mailto:abie@iafrica.com">abie@iafrica.com</a>
<br>
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