Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 13-01-2017
BDS South Africa (BDS SA) says there has to be common ground between activists and the Democratic Alliance (DA) before they can engage in conversation about the Palestinian struggle.
The organisations Muhammad Desai was answering a question on Radio Islam this morning about Palestinian activists reviewing their strategy by possibly emulating Israel in arranging trips to Palestine and Gaza for dignitaries to create consciousness about the struggle for freedom from what has been deemed an apartheid state.
Desai says many activists have a less antagonistic relationship with the opposition party.
“Many people are saying well ‘I have tweeted Helen Zille, I have written to Mmusi Maimane, I have tried to engage with the DA with absolutely no feedback, with absolutely no return coming from the DA.’”
Desai says the DA must agree on certain aspects of the Palestinians struggle including that settlements are illegal, the treatment of African refugees are racist and Israel’s apartheid policies are completely unacceptable before activists engage with the party.
“We have to find some sought of command ground, otherwise a conversation may just be like the Israeli peace process. The DA may want to lock us into a process of conversation instead of action and instead of solidarity and activism.”
DA leader Mmusi Maimane, is currently visiting Israel and the Palestinian Territories in what the party claims is to listen and learn about the conflict first hand and to discuss how South Africa should be playing a more constructive role in bringing the parties together for peace.
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