22 March 2004
The South African Communist Party (SACP) is shocked and angered at the assassination by Israel of the spiritual leader of HAMAS, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. We condemn Israel for this act.
This action by Israel undermines the struggle for peace, justice and democracy in the Middle East. Israel's action is contemptuous of world opinion and international law. This crime by Israel and its terrorist leader Ariel Sharon demonstrates Israel's unwillingness to end the illegal occupation of Palestine.
This act calls for increasing international pressure on Israel and its supporters including the US and British governments. Part of this pressure must be to ensure that Israel implements resolutions taken by the UN on this question. The South African government has an important role to play in this regard. We call on all South Africans and the people of the world to intensify their solidarity with and support for the struggle of the Palestinian people.