S.Africans protest Trump decision on Jerusalem

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG

Scores of South Africans Thursday staged a protest outside the U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg condemning President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s official capital.

“We are here to send a message to the United States that Jerusalem belongs to the people of Palestine,” said Alex Mdakane of the South African Communist Party, a coalition partner of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

Protesters waved South African and Palestinian flags as they chanted “Free Palestine, down apartheid in Israel.”

Some carried signs saying “Hands off Jerusalem,” “Trump’s decision is illegal,’’ or “Jerusalem remains the capital of Palestine”.

Nazim Adam of the Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) told Anadolu Agency that the protest was also aimed at condemning Israel’s human rights violations in Palestine, including the continued expansion of settlements on Palestinian lands.

Adam, who organized the protest, said there were about 300 demonstrators. Protesters also called on the South African government to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Israel.

“Why should we continue relations with a country that occupies another?” protester Mike Mdikune told Anadolu Agency, referring to Israel’s occupation of Palestine.

During a ruling ANC policy conference in July, the party passed a recommendation to downgrade the South African Embassy in Israel to a liaison office, thus reducing diplomatic ties.

The party said at the time that Israel continues to treat Palestine with violence instead of trying to reach a nonviolent agreement. The government has yet to implement the policy.

Trump’s decision has angered many leaders and activists across the world, saying this might hold back peace talks in the Middle East.

This week an Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Istanbul recognized East Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital -- condemning Trump’s decision -- and urged all other nations to do the same.