Various political parties, religious organisations and civil societies in Kimberley will host a fund-raiser and unveil a mural to showcase their support for the people of Palestine on Saturday.
“EMPATHY and humanity do not have a religion or a race”.
These are the sentiments held by various political parties, religious organisations and civil societies in Kimberley who will on Saturday host a fund-raiser and unveil a mural to showcase their support for the people of Palestine.
The Dean of St Cyprian’s Cathedral, Revd Fr Reginald Leeuw, was joined by Imaan Adam Feltman from the Northern Cape Ulama Council, the provincial deputy chairperson of the EFF, Moeketsi Konote, Dr Waleed Ikram from the Pakistan South African Association in the Northern Cape, Ismail Obaray from the Every Drop Counts non-profit organisation and the SACP’s povincial organiser, Nobantu Mpondo, in support of an array of events being planned in an effort to raise funds for humanitarian aid for the people of Palestine.
The fund-raiser will take place on Saturday and will be followed by a night vigil in the evening.
The mural, which is said to be one of the biggest murals in the Northern Cape, will be unveiled at A to Z Distributors in Kimberley.
Feltman said the mural will be a visible sign of support for the people of Palestine.
“The mural is crucial and key as it will show that, as the larger community of Kimberley, we stand against the American-backed Israel genocide that is taking place, not only since October, but for the past 75 years. South Africa, under its government, is pushing for a political solution for what is happening.
“Internationally, South Africa was the only country who took Israel to the International Court of Justice. South Africa had the courage to take on the world and we stand firmly behind that move. We also understand what the EFF tabled in Parliament as we all long for a resolution to this war,” said Feltman.
Obaray said various religions will host a night vigil to pray for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
“We will have an interfaith prayer later in the evening on Saturday. This is not an Arab-Jew conflict but a humanitarian crisis. We have witnessed incidents where the Western Cape government has interfered with the solidarity that the people in that province have shown to the people in Palestine. We hope that this will not be the case here in Kimberley,” said Obaray.
Leeuw said that he had personally witnessed the impact of the war.
“I was part of a group led by Reverend Frank Chikane who visited Israel and Palestine in December last year.”
Leeuw said he could draw clear similarities between the apartheid South Africa experience and the war in Palestine.
Obaray added that there will be murals at several venues in Kimberley.
“There will be murals at A to Z, at the mosque, the Islamic School in Moghul Park and at Atlantic Sea Food Distributors. These are all private properties, so we will not be doing anything illegal,” he said.
“The genocide that is happening is not just aimed at Christians, Jews or Muslims. It is happening to everyone. They do not look at the colour of your skin or even regard your religion. The Israeli government is acting as if it is God. They have created their own laws and are persecuting people as they please.”
Konote called on city residents to take a united stand with them.
“We cannot allow the genocide in Palestine as it can spread like a wildfire. We are not here to play politics but to say to those who are affected that we are here and will remain here until we achieve victory.”
All funds raised will be channelled to Gift of the Givers and will be used for humanitarian aid.
The murals “will remain until Palestine is liberated”.
