Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
13 January 2024 | 15:23 CAT

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The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) supports the application made by the South African government to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel for the genocide of Palestinian people. South Africa has described Israel’s actions as genocidal because the goal of Israel is to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group.

NUMSA is of the view that Israel is determined to wipe out the entire population of Palestine. Apartheid Israel is responsible for the daily massacre of thousands of citizens in Gaza. They have bombed homes, clinics, hospitals, churches and even refugee camps. There is no part of Gaza which is safe; everyone is a target. Currently, the death toll is over 30,000 people, and it is estimated that at least 10,000 of these are children.

Since the attacks by Hamas on October 7th, Israel has rained bombs on the Gaza Strip, and it has used the actions of Hamas to justify ethnic cleansing. Apart from the daily murder of innocent women and children, Israel is blocking access to clean water, it has interrupted the supply of electricity and communication networks, and it has destroyed nearly all the hospitals whilst simultaneously killing and injuring healthcare workers. At the same time, over 100 journalists have been murdered by the brutal Apartheid state of Israel as a way to block the truth of its horrendous actions from reaching the outside world.

The court application to the ICJ is the latest move by South Africa to increase pressure against Israel after the South African Parliament voted in favour of closing down the Israeli embassy in Pretoria and suspending all diplomatic relations until a ceasefire was agreed.

NUMSA is of the view that the ICJ must not only rule on ceasefire, it must also issue a warrant of arrest for that warmonger Benjamin Netanyahu, whose hands are dripping with the blood of innocent women and children. NUMSA is ready to be part of the citizen arrest of that heartless, cold-blooded killer.

“NUMSA will continue to stand with the people of Palestine and we support all their demands. We continue to call on our members to support the cause of the Palestinian people and their struggle for freedom,” NUMSA said.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Phakamile Hlubi-Majola.