South African Jews for a Free Palestine (SAJFP) condemns the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh – An irresponsible act and serious setback for the ceasefire negotiations

31 July 2024

South African Jews for a Free Palestine unequivocally condemns the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, political leader of the Hamas Party. His role as a diplomat has been invaluable in attempts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza which, in turn, would not only guarantee cessation of attacks from Israel’s neighbouring states but also avoid conflagration in the region. Haniyeh’s assassination is the clearest sign that Israel is not interested in a ceasefire. Instead, we are now facing the serious prospect of a regional war and, as such, more civilian loss and suffering in Palestine and beyond.  

This heinous act invokes the memory of Chris Hani and his tragic assassination on 10 April 1993. He posed a threat to the apartheid regime precisely because of his important role in negotiations, and that his contributions might actually foster a future of peace and justice in the country. Today we mourn the loss of a person who has played a similar, key role in pushing for peace. 

As Nelson Mandela said, ‘We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians’. The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh is a harsh blow to Mandela’s reminder, the spirit of which is the guiding principle of SAJFP’s stand on the matter of Apartheid, genocide and ethnic cleansing underway in Occupied Palestine.

SAJFP stands for Peace, a dispensation to the benefit of all who live in historic Palestine. We regard the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh as a tragedy, a blatant act of terrorism and a heinous travesty of justice.

We condemn Israel’s action in the strongest terms and offer our most heartfelt condolences to all who are in mourning. 

To a free Palestine, from the river to the sea!

Issued by SAJFP, 31 July 2024