Launch of a South African Declaration on Palestine/Invitation from Minister Ronnie Kasrils

3 December 2001

This is to inform you about the launch of a declaration on Palestine by Minister Ronnie Kasrils (SACP Politburo Member and ANC NEC Member) and some members of the South African Jewish community.

It emanates from a statement made recently in Parliament by Minister Ronnie Kasrils, co-authored by Max Ozinsky, wherein a number of significant pronouncements regarding Palestine were made, including calls on the Israeli government to withdraw from all occupied territories.

We believe that it is imperative and a moral responsibility on South Africans regardless of caste or creed, to ensure that fundamental human rights of Palestinians are restored and protected. We therefore call on all South Africans and in particular Jewish South Africans, to support Minister Kasrils in this bold initiative.

We would also request you in your own capacity and on behalf of your organisation:

• To kindly express written support addressed to Minister Kasrils c/o Max Ozinsky: maxo@anc.org.za 
• Congratulate the group that has emerged under the banner of Not In Our Name, which includes such notables as Jonathan Shapiro the cartoonist - c/o Bradley Bordiss: bradleyb@iafrica.com
• Encourage your friends, acquaintances and contacts in the Jewish community to add their signatures to the declaration
• And finally, to make yourselves, and members of your organisation, available for the launch on December 7 2001. (Details attached hereto)

Many thanks
Mazibuko K. Jara
SACP Media Information and Publicity Officer
Ph: 011 339 3621
Cell: 083 651 0271
E-Mail:sacp1@wn.apc.org

Invitation from Minister Ronnie Kasrils
 Statement on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by South Africans of Jewish descent

Minister Ronnie Kasrils and the co-signatories of the declaration by South African Jews would be honoured if you could attend the launch of our declaration on 7th December 2001 at events in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Cape Town

• Venue: The District Six Museum
  BuitenkantStreet (corner of Albertus) Cape Town
  
• Time: 09h30
  

Johannesburg

• Venue: Museum Africa
  Jeppe Street(next to the Market Threatre)Johannesburg
  
• Time: 15h00
  

The purpose of the launch of the declaration is to announce the signatures that we have managed to secure, call for further signatories to the declaration and to announce the plans for the future.

Many thanks
Ronnie Kasrils MP