Saleh Hijazi, the apartheid-free policy coordinator at the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee, has emphasised the need for solidarity with Palestine among nations that have endured apartheid and colonialism.
This comes as the death toll in Israel’s war with militant Palestinian group Hamas continued to rise on both sides yesterday, as Israel hammered Gaza with airstrikes overnight.
More than 2 200 people have been killed, with thousands of others injured, since Hamas launched an attack on Israel over the weekend, prompting Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare war.
Speaking on Desert Radio yesterday morning, Hijazi said countries like Namibia, which have endured their own struggles against apartheid and colonialism, should join their fight for freedom and justice.
“We need them to condemn Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians. Take action at the United Nations (UN), by reviving the special committee against apartheid which played a crucial role in bringing down apartheid in southern Africa,” Hijazi said.
Hijazi pointed out that the military occupation of Palestine by Israel mirrors the past occupation of Namibia by South Africa.
“Never in history has violence been initiated by the oppressed. Exactly like how it happened with South Africa and Namibia and is happening here in Palestine.”
He said unity among countries in the Global South that have experienced colonialism is important, and the root cause of violence in such instances is oppression, leaving the oppressed with no choice but to resist.
International relations executive director Penda Naanda earlier this week said Namibia continues to support diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a lasting peaceful solution.
“Namibia calls upon Israel to cease its attack and refrain from engaging in acts against the Palestinian people, and to respect international humanitarian law,” Naanda said on Monday.
He called upon the international community to call for a cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians and to continue to support the Palestinian people through the implementation of relevant UN resolutions and other agreements for lasting peace in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu on Tuesday said although Israel did not start the war it would finish it.
As part of its retaliation against Hamas, Israel has mobilised 300 000 troops.
“Israel is at war. We didn’t want this war. It was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way. But though Israel didn’t start this war, Israel will finish it,” said Netanyahu in an address to the nation.
Meanwhile, speaker of parliament Peter Katjavivi on Tuesday said Namibia is “deeply” concerned about the escalating hostilities and violence between Israel and Palestine in the Gaza Strip and its impact on innocent lives.
“It should be kept in mind that peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of justice, security and equality. Strengthening the efforts of the UN, and working together in achieving peace in this part of the world is what every citizen should strive towards,” Katjavivi said.
Parliament has called for the immediate cessation of violence and urges all parties to return to the negotiation table to propose the two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine can coexist side by side, in peace and security, within internationally recognised borders.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been marked by the loss of tens of thousands of lives and the displacement of millions of people.
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