South Africans mark Israeli Apartheid Week

Activists, civil groups, and even South Africa’s ruling African National Congress party are concluding a week of action on Palestinian solidarity. ‘Wrong for South Africa, wrong for Israel’ is their rallying call.
One of the key elements highlighted during Israeli Aparthied week here is how closely the Israeli propaganda machine resembles that of the Apartheid system in this country. But activists warn, with the boom in international news channels and the internet, Israel’s campaign is far more sinister. Miko Peled, the son of a former Israeli general says this propaganda of demonizing Palestinians is used by Israel against its own citizens as well. He described the first time he crossed into the occupied Palestinian areas. To dilute the message, Israel sent over campaigners who tried to derail some of the sessions. On a global level, there were calls for governments to be vigilant of what they say are manipulative strategies by Israel for cooperation. In its statement of support, the ruling party says it was ordinary citizens around the world who shouldered the boycott campaign of Apartheid here. The ANC says its support for Palestine today is a continuation of that solidarity.