More than 3,000 people marched through Cape Town on Saturday, demanding that South Africa sever trade and diplomatic relations with Israel, including shutting its embassy, over the ongoing war in Gaza.

Pretoria has been one of Israel’s fiercest critics, filing a case at the UN’s top court in December 2023 that accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza—allegations Israel has rejected.

The demonstration, among the largest in months, drew pro-Palestinian groups, political parties, and religious organisations waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as “Don’t just feel bad, do something.” Protesters also submitted a petition to parliament.

South Africa must “boycott, divest and sanction Israel, the same way as the world did for us,” said Palestine Solidarity Campaign coordinator Usuf Chikte, referencing measures used to pressure apartheid South Africa.

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He added the government must act on “kicking out of Israel’s ambassador and embassy from South Africa now” and push for Israel’s exclusion from international sporting bodies such as FIFA.

The petition further called for a suspension of coal exports to Israel and the prosecution of South Africans who enlist in the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

The war erupted after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has since killed at least 65,926 people, also mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry—figures the UN regards as credible.

Tolulope is a dynamic media professional with a knack for impactful storytelling and digital content curation. Skilled in journalism, news editing, and corporate communications, she leads with creativity and precision. She holds both her first and second degrees in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos and is currently the Deputy Online Editor at BusinessDay.

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