POPCRU’s response to Ben Levitas’ claims that POPCRU is a racist union
POPCRU finds it preposterous that the former Chairperson of an organisation that supported Apartheid South Africa now has the audacity to accuse us black trade unions of being racist.
In response to the PolitcsWeb article by Ben Levitas, former chairperson of the SA Zionist Federation (SAZF), POPCRU stands its ground: we are in solidarity with the Palestinian people and their progressive Jewish Israeli allies in their struggles against Israeli Apartheid. Our solidarity is borne out of a commitment to internationalism that nourishes our backing of all struggles including that of the people of Swaziland, Western Sahara, Cuba and Venezuela among others.
We as black South Africans painfully recall that the SAZF backed Apartheid South Africa during the 1980s, when the regime killed our people. We are disappointed that they and their supporters have taken a similar stance today in support of Israeli Apartheid. One would have thought that history would have taught them memorable lessons, and in the absence of learning, let us educate them with the hope of refreshing their minds;
Firstly, Israel is a state practicing apartheid, discrimination and racism as has been confirmed by various reports and studies. The United Nations (UN), Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other bodies have issued statements and reports documenting Israel’s discriminatory practices and violations of international law. In addition, some of our most senior anti-apartheid icons and leaders, after travelling to Palestine-Israel, have come back to report that the conditions our Palestinian brothers and sisters are facing are not only similar to the conditions that we experienced, but in many instances far worse.
Let us be clear - the intended Israeli takeover of Clover is not a beneficial investment in or to our country. It's simply a buy-out that will result in a change of ownership. Our milk will now be in the hands of an Israeli company. If anything, if the Israeli deal proceeds, profits from our people will, firstly, leave the country instead of staying here in South Africa. And, secondly, profits from our daily purchases will be going towards the oppression of the Palestinian.