THE ATTAINMENT OF THE TWO STATE SETTLEMENT REMAINS THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION TO THE MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT 

This week is known among those who share similar political convictions for a non-racial, democratic and prosperous world as the Israeli Apartheid Week. As the people of South Africa we have condemned the occupation of Gaza and advocated for a peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict.

We are steadfast and remain unwavering in the belief that a lasting solution to the Middle East conflict will be through the formation of a two state settlement wherein Israel and Palestine will coexist as two independent states, with each enjoying its own sovereignty.

The occupation of Gaza remains unlawful and should have long been abolished. It reflects nothing but the perpetuation of an unjust system imposed through terror. It is an injustice which has become entrenched through the support of certain world authorities who are biased to the side of Israel. 

In the same vain we condemn any form of terrorism which is perpetuated as part of liberating the people in Gaza.  We strongly believe that any conflict may be resolved through peaceful engagement and dialogue.

Like apartheid-colonialism in South Africa, no religious or ideological belief should form the basis to unjustly oppress or forcefully govern over a nation of people with the use of armed forces. No country should be allowed to occupy the land belonging to another country. Thus, the current state of affairs in Gaza is indeed a shame, it is an indictment on world peace and as such needs to be confronted as a worldwide travesty. Similarly, the continued occupation of Western Sahara is a reprehensible iniquity for all sons and daughters of Africa.

Notwithstanding the injustices imposed by Israel to Palestine and the violence used to subjugate the people of Palestine under their rule, the world organs, in particular the United Nations has done very little to attain a final resolution of this conflict.

The world power houses and in particular NATO have paid no attention to this conflict.  This fact affirms our long held view that their limited intervention is only driven by economic interests within the region.

The progressive forces and all those sharing a similar political conviction for democracy must unite and wage a consistent, organised and continuous struggle for the liberation of the people of Palestine. Therefore we must call on all forces to:

Organise themselves and lead a solidarity campaign which will not be occasional but on-going until this conflict is resolved;

Conscientise and educate  all people on the current world order & political landscape, while entrenching that the idea of democracy should be the central pillar towards  the requisition of a peaceful world order;

 Prioritise the need to wage, promote and conduct solidarity campaigns against any form of injustice, inequality or terror;

Mobilise all sectors organise across political spectrum and across religious beliefs and convictions;

Lead boycotts and sanctions against all goods, products and merchandise produced in the occupied land of Gaza;

Coordinate the struggle within all neighbourhoods of Palestine and further encourage forces in Palestine to desist from violent means as they continue their struggle for their liberation;

Mobilise progressive countries to talk with a unified approach  in multilateral forums such as UN;

Engage Israel embassies in respective democratic countries on the need to stop the occupation of Gaza and indicate the unavoidable isolation of Israel from the rest of the world if it does not take necessary steps to terminate the occupation; and

Work on ensuring the Jewish community understands that our articulation on the Middle East conflict is not anti Semitic or pro Islamic, but rather founded on the principle of liberation of Israel and our commitment to see the absolute attainment of a  two state solution in the region.

Thus a march by the ANC on the 06th March 2015 should be understood within this political context. The march will start at the Mosque on Yusuf Daadoo Street (former Grey Street) and proceed towards the Durban City Hall at 12H00. All progressive forces are invited to attend.

A call for a world which is at peace with itself. 

Sihle Zikalala is ANC KZN Provincial Secretary

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