12 June 2002
The South African Communist Party (SACP) is appalled by Israeli's inhumane obstruction of a South African humanitarian mission to assist the civilian population of Palestine. This obstruction is in spite of the Israeli government having been given prior notice on 03 May 2002 and having been supplied with all the relevant documentation as per Israeli protocol. Instead, the Israeli government has shifted goal posts continuously.
The SACP condemns this authoritarian behaviour by the Zionist regime. This obstruction confirms, once more, that Ariel Sharon's government is not committed to meaningful negotiations. Rather it is continuing with its genocidal actions against the Palestinian people. on of Israel amounts to a war crime by refusing access of much-needed medical and other supplies to the Palestinians. The humanitarian mission has been funded by the Gift of the Givers Foundation and includes state of the art equipment for a theatre and intensive care unit, ultrasound, general medical equipment, medicines, intravenous fluids, sutures, water purification tablets and other basic medical supplies.
The SACP is also shocked at the disrespectful treatment given to the SA Department of Foreign Affairs by the Israeli government. The South African Foreign Affairs Department has been in long negotiations with the Israeli the Israeli Embassy in Pretoria to no avail. As a result of this, the South African Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Comrade Aziz Pahad had to postpone his diary 4 times already to enable him to lead this humanitarian delegation to Palestine. The Israeli treatment of South Africa smacks of arrogance and displays contempt for the South African government and people.
We commend the Gift of the Givers Foundation for taking the initiative to express the solidarity of the people of South Africa with the people and just cause of Palestine.
We call on the SA government to ensure that the mission to Palestine succeeds. The SACP also calls on all South Africans to continue with their solidarity actions with the people of Palestine.
CONTACT
Mazibuko Kanyiso Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information and Publicity
South African Communist Party
Tel - 011 339 3621
Fax - 011 339 4244
Cell - 083 651 0271
Email- sacp1@wn.apc.org