Following the bold mission originally destined for Gaza to join the global commemoration of the 1st anniversary of the bloody massacre of Palestinians by the occupying force (Israel), the 15-person South African delegation which included five COSATU officials, will be reporting back to the public about the events surrounding the historic mission at a rally in Lenasia [a suburb of Soweto] tomorrow (Wednesday 27th January, 2010) starting at 19h30.

COSATU President, Sidumo Dlamini will be addressing the rally and calling for more co-ordination and renewed momentum in taking forward the struggle of the Palestinian people. COSATU continues to call for global solidarity and support for the heroic and fighting people of Palestine, particularly in view of the only remaining peaceful form of struggle, the boycott, sanctions and divestment (BDS) Campaign in which trade unions have a key and decisive role to play.

This is why we support the statement by the Palestine BDS National Committee in calling for the isolation and exposure of all those who play double standards or hide behind “peace” banners to mask their opposition to real action against a barbaric regime that is not at all interested in genuine peace, whose pre-condition is ending the illegal occupation. The Palestinian people have made it clear that it is not possible to have peace under occupation unless they are being forced to accept being sub-human and objects of Israeli colonial domination.

We shall continue to take forward the momentum of the Cairo Declaration which calls for greater co-ordination amongst progressive forces globally to take the campaign to new heights and isolate all the elements that support Israeli apartheid. The UN Report by Goldstone marks an advance in its findings that indeed Israel committed war crimes and must be brought before the international justice system.

For further information, please contact the COSATU International Relations Secretary, Bongani Masuku, on 079 499 6419