With the commencement of Israeli Apartheid Week, the Democratic Alliance has attempted to suppress and undermine the work of the Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) campaign in Durban. A DA Durban Councillor, Avrille Marcia Coen, argued that the usage of the term ‘apartheid’ in relation to Israel constitutes 'hate speech'.

This comes after an Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) mural was painted by well-known graffiti artist, Iain “Ewok” Robinson, at the Durban North Beach Skate Board Park. The Israel Apartheid Week (IAW) South Africa Team (IAW SA Team) has condemned the attempt by the Democratic Alliance.

The DA representative has subsequently advised that she will instruct the Parks & Leisure Department to immediately remove the Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) graffiti mural. This move by the DA Councillor is consistent with recent demands by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) and the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) to remove Palestine awareness billboards that were placed by the Palestine solidarity organization, BDS South Africa, on Johannesburg’s M1 highway in Gauteng, thereby silencing free speech in South Africa.

In a press statement National Spokesperson of Israeli Apartheid Week South Africa Team (IAW South Africa Team)  Mbuyiseni Ndlozi,: said:

“The word ‘apartheid’ is increasingly being used by South African and international organisations to describe the Israeli regime. In 2009, in a report officially commissioned by the South African government, the South African Human Sciences Research Council found Israel guilty of “Apartheid” and “Colonialism” with regard to its treatment of the indigenous Palestinian people. In January this year, the United Nations Human Rights Council found that there is “institutionalised racism” by Israel in the Palestinian West Bank and has called on member states to consider instituting both political and economic boycotts against Israel.”

“Describing Israel as an apartheid state is not hate speech but rather seeks to expose a regime that privileges some citizens while discriminating against others based on their ethnicity,” added Ndlozi.

 Between the 11th and 17th of March, South Africa hosts the 9th international Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) campaign that takes places annually during February and March around the globe in over 250 cities. Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) is an annual international series of events (including rallies, lectures, cultural performances, music shows, films and workshops) that seek to raise awareness of Israel's apartheid policies toward the indigenous Palestinians and garner support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel campaign which is aimed to bring an end to Israel's apartheid policies and violations of international law.