SA fact finding mission in Israel raise Palestinian hopes
South Africa's increasing interest in Palestine and its woes is beginning to manifest in ways that's likely to attract more antagonism from Israel and her lobbyists.
Currently a number of South Africans are in Israel to gain first-hand insight of conditions faced by Palestinians under Occupation as well as experience the political and humanitarian situation there.
Delegates include Prof Barney Pityana, Adv Vusi Pikoli, MPL Mbala Ntuli, Adv Adila Hassim, Prof Firoz Cachalia, Dr Christi van der Westhuizen and Brad Brockman.
In a statement issued by the joint organizers of the trip, the Heinrich Boll Foundation Southern Africa [HBF] and Open Shuhada Street [OSS], they undertake that the delegates will meet and interact with both Israeli and Palestinian civil society "working to end the conflict and advance human rights and social justice, as well as political representatives...". Among other activities, the group will visit and observe military court proceedings in the West Bank, visit the Jordan valley to understand the politics of water and its impact on Palestinian farmers.
As they wrap up their fact finding mission, we at Media Review Network, are keenly anticipating a thorough and detailed report back. We hope that the quality of their findings will unleash greater momentum within South Africa to fulfil aspirations and desires of Palestinians to gain freedom, dignity and justice.