10 January 2002
The South African Communist Party (SACP) regards the Presidential Retreat on the Middle East as an important contribution by President Thabo Mbeki and the South African government to the peace process in the Middle East in general and the struggle for a free and independent Palestine in particular.
The Retreat continues the important and positive role South Africa has played on the Middle East in various international fora including the United Nations, the World Conference Against Racism and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Central in the Middle East process is the struggle for a free, independent and sovereign Palestinian state a struggle which has been confronted by the tragic and ghastly aggression and repression by Zionist Israel since September 1999. Over the last 15 months, the government of Israel, led by Ariel Sharon, has led a slaughter of more than 1000 Palestinians to which the United States of America and other Western countries have turned a blind eye. This aggression and repression has been intensified by the Israeli government in recent weeks. Unfortunately and regrettably, this slaughter has not been met with any significant international outcry and action against Israel. The international community must expose Israeli aggression and act accordingly.
By bringing together senior Palestinians and Israelis inside and outside government, this Presidential Retreat creates an opportunity for the building of a conducive environment for resolving the Palestinian question and strengthening far-sighted Palestinians and Israelis who share the objective of peace in the Middle East. This challenges all affected parties and Israel in particular not to continue with its destructive path of violence and continued repression of the Palestinian struggle.
It is in this context that the SACP understands and supports the Declaration of Conscience by South Africans of Jewish descent led by Comrade Ronnie Kasrils, Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry and SACP Cenrtral Committee member. The SACP uses the opportunity of this retreat to make a call to all South Africans of Jewish descent to take a stand for peace in the Middle East and to play a constructive role in solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine.
Finally, the SACP calls on all South Africans to support the aims of the Presidential Retreat by increasing their solidarity work and struggles with the people of Palestine.
CONTACT
Mazibuko Kanyiso Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information and Publicity
South African Communist Party
Tel - 011 339 3621
Fax - 011 339 4244
Cell - 083 651 0271
Email- sacp1@wn.apc.org