CAPE TOWN (JTA) — South African dock workers say they will not offload an Israeli ship that is set to dock in the harbor of the port city of Durban.
In a Palestine Solidarity Committee news release, the Congress of South African Trade Unions’ decision to "strengthen the campaign in South Africa for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against apartheid Israel" is noted. Referring to workers’ commitment to "refuse to support oppression and exploitation across the globe," the committee recalls the refusal by Durban dock workers last year to offload arms from China that were destined for Zimbabwe.
The release also says that workers will not allow South African ports to be used as "transit points for goods bound for or emanating from certain dictatorial and oppressive states such as Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Israel."
The release continues: "We also welcome statements by various South African Jews of conscience who have dissociated themselves from the genocide in Gaza. We call on all South Africans to ensure that none of our family members are allowed to join the Israeli Occupation Forces’ killing machine."
Calling on the South African government to sever diplomatic and trade relations with Israel, the Palestine Solidarity Committee announced a week of action under the banner "Free Palestine, Isolate Apartheid Israel."
