Johannesburg – The war in Gaza is a Palestinian holocaust. Instead of gas chambers, Palestinians are losing their lives in their own homes, hospitals, schools, and refugee camps, all under the gaze and support of the world’s elite.
This is not a fight against terrorism. It is terrorism. It is an ongoing conquest by a vastly superior colonial and imperial power.
Nevertheless, in the face of this unspeakable horror and brutality, people around the world are not passively standing by. Ordinary men, women, and children from all walks of life are doing their utmost to put an end to the suffering of innocent, destitute, and undernourished Palestinians.
For decades, South Africans have not remained silent in the face of this injustice. Recently, political parties, Palestinian solidarity organisations, and civil society have come together to call for a ceasefire and the cessation of the occupation.
For weeks, they have marched to the governmental institutions of both the United States and Israel in South Africa, urging an end to the siege and bloodshed. They have even expressed disappointment with the ANC for not acting on the request to close the Israeli embassy within the country.
Despite their pleas being disregarded, they remain undeterred. On social media and in local communities, they gather in large numbers, united by a common cause, regardless of their backgrounds, races, or beliefs. Their compassion drives them to show unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Mayfair Community in Solidarity with Palestine
Despite their endeavours, there is often a lingering question about whether their actions have a meaningful impact. The answer to this question becomes evident when we observe the South African government’s actions, as they have withdrawn their diplomats from Israel after weeks of advocating for such a move during the ongoing bombardment.
While, at times, simple acts may appear insignificant in the grand scheme of things, their protests, marches, and awareness campaigns hold enough power to shift the course of events.
This past weekend, the residents of Mayfair organised an event with a dual purpose: to foster community unity and raise awareness and funds for the Palestinian cause.
What was initially intended as a day of community building and solidarity with Palestine, Ebrahim Mohamed, a co-organiser of the Palestine Solidarity Fun Day, shared a poignant moment from their march. This moment truly reflects the widespread condemnation of the atrocities committed by the Israeli forces in Gaza.
“We had a fun walk yesterday [for Palestine] … To our surprise, most of the vehicles were hooting in solidarity with us. [But] one thing which stood out was, JMPD came to assist for the walk, and instead of driving with the crowd, most officers were walking with the people.”
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Small Actions, Giant Impact
Since October 7, the following developments, in the name of self-defence, have left a profound impact on those closely monitoring and supporting the Palestinian cause. These individuals are experiencing emotions of powerlessness, anguish, and a sense of responsibility.
As a result, their concerns extend not only to Palestine but also to anyone enduring hardship in regions across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. In light of this, Mohamed has stated that the funds they have raised will not be exclusively directed toward organisations aiding Palestine but will also be allocated to groups operating in various parts of the world.
“If there’s another area that needs assistance like Syria or any other country … It’s all for the same cause.”
