Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 11-05-2017
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has decided to stand in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners and go on a hunger strike.
Ramaphosa, a former chairperson of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, has endorsed the #DignityStrikeSA campaign.
The campaign calls on South Africans to embark on a 24-hour hunger strike in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners, who have been on hunger strike since 17 April.
According to the Kathrada Foundation, Ramaphosa will eat his last meal ahead of the solidarity hunger strike before 6pm on 14 May.
The deputy president of the ANC and the country, will only be allowed to have salt water, which is what Palestinian prisoners have been surviving on for last 26 days, before ending the hunger strike at 6pm on 15 May.
He will be joined in the campaign by other public representatives including well known personalities, liberation icons, activists and political leaders.
Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Neeshan Balton says they welcome the endorsement by Ramaphosa.
“We hope that his actions will inspire other South Africans to follow suit and support the solidarity hunger strike. Ramaphosa’s commitment to the campaign sends a strong message that South Africa stands with the Palestinian people in their quest for freedom and dignity.”
Ramaphosa’s support is globally significant as he might possibly be the most senior politician endorsing the demands of the Palestinian prisoners.
May 15 was symbolically selected for the #DignityStrikeSA campaign to mark the Nakba (Catastrophe) that saw Palestinians being forced to flee their homeland in 1948, and the establishment of Israeli occupation.
0 Comments