06 February 2001
The General Secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP), Blade Nzimande, will lead an SACP delegation to visit Palestine from 10 February to 17 February 2001. This SACP delegation, to be hosted by the Palestine Liberation Organisation, will meet several key players in Palestine in order to find out what role South Africans should play in the struggle for a free Palestine and in building solidarity between our peoples.
The SACP regards the election of Ariel Sharon, as the Prime Minister of Israel, as a blow to the Middle East peace process and the liberation of Palestine. The election of Sharon, while a grave setback which could cost many more lives, does not change the determination of the people of Palestine to attain sovereign statehood and the significant support of the continuation of the peace process amongst Israelis.
The unfortunate electoral choice by the Israeli people is in essence driving the Israelis into a corner. The Israelis are electing someone who is not committed to the peaceful resolution of the Palestine/Israeli conflict. Yet at the end of the day, the lib eration of Palestine is inevitable and sooner rather than later, the Sharon government will have to climb down and meet the demands of the Palestinian people.
Sharon's election is a result of the failure of the Israeli government led by Ehud Barak to implement agreements already reached with the Palestinians. Clearly Barak lacked commitment to a sovereign and independent Palestine. Barak's conduct of making concessions without implementing them increased tensions and discredited the peace process among Israelis thereby paving the way for Sharon.
The SACP calls on all South Africans to express their solidarity with the Palestinian people.
PRESS BRIEFING ON SACP VISIT TO PALESTINE
The SACP delegation to Palestine will hold a press briefing as detailed below.
CONTACT
Mazibuko K. Jara (surname Jara)
Tel: 011 339 3621
Fax: 011 339 4244
Cell: 083 651 0271
Email: sacp1@wn.apc.org