Lebanese community protests outside Israeli embassy

A police officer walks past a symbolic protest of the dead bodies of Palestinians and Lebanese killed by Israel. Photos: Ihsaan Haffejee

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria on Saturday demanding that the South African government cut all diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.

The protest was organised by members of South Africa’s Lebanese community as well as Palestinian solidarity organisations.

Demonstrators occupied the space outside the embassy, closely watched by a large number of police who blocked the entrance to the embassy.

Massarah Rajeb, a South African of Lebanese heritage, said that Israel’s wars on Gaza and Lebanon have turned her into an activist as she could not sit by and be silent about the ongoing killing.

“There are many people around the world, especially in Palestine and Lebanon, who no longer have a voice. So we need to be their voices and demand a permanent ceasefire,” said Rajeb.

Roshan Dadoo, coordinator of the SA BDS Coalition, said the change of administration in the United States is unlikely to bring any change to the conflicts.

“Obviously Trump is an outright fascist and really we can’t expect anything from him. But under Biden we saw bombs being delivered from America which are being used to commit genocide. So it’s unlikely that the policy of America will change,” said Dadoo.

Dadoo said that the South African government may come under greater pressure from the US because of its genocide case against Israel.

“We need the government to stand firm, but also to stop the sales of coal to Israel. We have to have a trade embargo and we have to call for an arms embargo,” said Dadoo.

Seham Hijji, a resident of Gaza who had managed to escape the war, was also at the protest and addressed the crowd.

“All my family is still in Gaza. We have lost many loved ones and been displaced many times. [Israel’s] goal is to kill children and starve the people of Gaza. But the people of Gaza remain steadfast on our land,” said Hijji.

She encouraged people to boycott products and companies linked to the occupation of Palestine.

Protesters stuck stickers on the sign of the Israeli embassy that read: “Israel burns hospitals, Israel kills journalists, Israel attacks UN and Israel starves children.”

Demonstrators dispersed peacefully but vowed to continue protesting against the ongoing war in Gaza and Lebanon.

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria demanding that the South African government cut all diplomatic and economic ties to Israel.

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