Some 10,000 South Africans, most of them Muslims, cheered cabinet minister Ronnie Kasrils Sunday when he said he did not support the "barbarism" of Israel's incursion into Palestinian territories.
"When we see this barbarism, this criminality that Israel perpetrates... I am forced to say: Not in my name," Kasrils said to a standing ovation from the crowd at a "Free Palestine" rally organized by the South African Muslim Judicial Council. The crowd shouted "Amandla Intifada".
According to Reuters, the rally took place amid growing criticism of Israel by Pretoria, which is facing public pressure to impose sanctions against Israel. Kasrils, the South African Water Affairs Minister, and a former ANC guerrilla, is part of a small group of South African Jews who have signed a declaration against Israel's actions in Palestinian territories.
Women, some with their faces covered, waved placards comparing Israel's actions against Palestinians to the apartheid policies of South Africa's former white minority government.
"We stand with the Palestinian people in their just struggle for freedom, for equality, for dignity," Kasrils said. Kasrils said President Thabo Mbeki and his government would give serious consideration to calls for sanctions against Israel, including a boycott of Israeli goods.
Ebrahim Rasool, a minister in the Western Cape and an ANC provincial leader, urged those at the rally to boycott Israel goods. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
