Pretoria – Today, at Al Ghazali in Erasmia, Dr Mads Gilbert, alongside several distinguished speakers, provided insights into the challenges faced by Palestinians due to actions taken by Israeli forces and settlers.
The discussions included the discriminatory targeting of medical infrastructure in Gaza by the Israeli government, the manipulation of Christians by the Zionist propaganda machine to garner support for their apartheid state, and the idea that advocating for the Palestinian cause goes beyond social, racial, and religious boundaries, amongst others.
Israel Stripping the Palestinians from Basic Human Rights
Following a brief prayer and a display of respect for the speakers, the event commenced with Professor Akhtar from the Islamic Medical Association. During his address, he criticised the Israeli regime for its deliberate targeting of the Palestinian healthcare system.
“The government of Israel is targeting health facilities in Gaza in particular, and health is a fundamental right of every human being. We cannot accept that the very fundamental right is being torn away from them.”
Zionism Manipulating and Influencing Christians to Support Israel
Throughout the years, there has been a growing influence of Zionism shaping Christian perspectives, encouraging support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in occupied Palestine.
Addressing this issue was Ncamisile Pamela Ngubane, a former Christian Zionist and ex-spokesperson for SA Friends of Israel. She shared that her initial conviction as a devoted Christian took a turn when, through Christian programs, she became persuaded to support Israel.
It was only with the election of the new right-wing and radical Israeli government that she began to question the actual values and principles that Israel represented.
“The Zionist propaganda machine is extremely hardworking, very prolific, very powerful, and it encompasses a whole lot of narratives.”
Ngubane further stated that, akin to numerous Christians, she was deceived into endorsing colonisation and Apartheid.
“Not only was I being lied to, but I was teaching people these horrific lies. Dehumanising lies, and I also realised later that, like so many Christians, I was duped into promoting colonisation.”
Our Freedom is Incomplete Without the Freedom of the Palestinians
Nomvula Paula Mokonyane, the First Deputy Secretary of the ANC, reiterated the ruling party’s endorsement of the Palestinians and its condemnation of the military actions and brutality perpetrated by the Israelis.
“We need a genuine ceasefire. We need to afford the people of Palestine to determine their own destiny. They should do that. We need to call for a genuine ceasefire and ensure Israel is held accountable for everything that has happened.”
She also emphasised that this is not a religious conflict. Instead, it is a crime against humanity. Consequently, she urged all South Africans, irrespective of their faith, to stand united with the Palestinians in our positions, support, and boycotts.
“Anyone that supports Apartheid Israel is against Nelson Mandela. You can’t embrace Nelson Mandela and stand with Apartheid Israel. You can’t say Nelson Mandela is your world icon, and you kill innocent children in Palestine. You can’t say you embrace Nelson Mandela, and you say they have a right to eliminate a nation. It’s time we stand together without shame, without regret.”
“I Am a Terrorist Because I Support People’s Right to Resist Occupation”
Following a series of enlightening and inspiring speeches from distinguished guests and individuals, Dr Mads Gilbert addresses the audience.
He starts by expressing that his purpose in coming to South Africa is not to lecture about his experiences or Palestinians’ challenges. Instead, he is here to understand how our nation successfully overcame Apartheid and to learn the best ways to apply those lessons to the Palestinian struggle against it.
“I’ve come to South Africa not to preach but to learn about your great struggle against Apartheid and how you managed to achieve what we want to achieve for the whole world, that is equality, freedom, respect and unity among people. That’s what we want the Palestinian people to enjoy as well.”
Characterising the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, Dr Gilbert described it as incredibly challenging. Approximately one million children in Gaza have spent their entire lives in confinement.
They haven’t had the opportunity to experience the outside world, a right granted to many children globally. Their reality is marked by poverty, deprivation, and human indignity.
However, despite their daily hardships, Dr Gilbert emphasises that he does not intend to portray Palestinians as weak or helpless victims. In his view, and that of many others worldwide, they represent a shining example of resistance against the malevolence of colonisation and Apartheid.
“I think the Palestinians today are the teachers of the world when it comes to dignity and patience.”
Speaking about the continuous bombardment across all of Gaza, Dr Gilbert characterised the Israeli government’s siege as nothing less than sadistic. He drew a parallel between the actions of the Israeli government and the pain and suffering imposed on the Palestinians to that of the Nazis.
Despite the widespread condemnation and steadfast support for the Palestinians globally, Dr Gilbert believes that the present moment calls for translating our words into action. He emphasises that failure to do so opens the door to further suffering for the Palestinian people.
“What is needed now is solidarity, activism and concrete action. It’s not enough to sit at home being sad with what you are seeing. We have to do something. If we are overwhelmed by sadness and helplessness, they win. We don’t want them to win.”
