The following leaflet was distributed by members of the Zabalaza Anarchist Communist Front
(ZACF) and the Orlando West study circle on anarchism at a football tournament in an
informal settlement in Soweto. ---- Unfortunately the proposed discussion after the
tournament did not take place due to rain. ---- Making the 2010 World Cup work for the
poor and working class Ever since South Africa won the bid to host the 2010 Fifa World
Cup, the ANC government has been feeding us promises and creating expectations about how
good this is for the country, for the economy and for the workers and poor. We were told
that it would create jobs, that the tourism it attracts would generate large amounts of
money that could be invested in service delivery and development. Indeed, developments
such as the Gautrain and Rea Vaya are largely in preparation for the World Cup.

But who really stands to benefit, and to profit, from the World Cup and its associated
developments? Who could afford the Gautrain from the airport to Sandton? And who would be
traveling from the airport to Sandton anyway, the worker or the businessman and tourist?
Who was Rea Vaya built for? The soccer fan...

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El Al may cancel its three weekly flights to Johannesburg by mid-January if a dispute with the South African government over the status of the Israeli security detail in the airport there is not solved by then.

Foreign Ministry officials said that quiet talks are taking place with South African officials to solve what has turned into a diplomatic issue over whether Israeli security guards protecting EL AL flights can carry diplomatic passports granting them diplomatic immunity from possible criminal proceedings stemming from their work. For instance, there is concern that if customers take issue with having their bags checked, or being pulled aside for extensive searches, they could file suit, unless the security guard has this diplomatic immunity.

The same issue held up the initiation of El Al and Arkia flights to three Russian cities this summer, an issue that was solved earlier this month when the Russians agreed to the diplomatic passport arrangement.

EL Al spokesman Ran Rahav issued a statement saying that the issue with the South African authorities is being dealt with by the Foreign Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office. “El AL hopes that the crisis with the South African government will be solved quickly. In the event...

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Issued by the Congress of South African Trade Unions, 11 December 2009

This new years eve, 31 December 2009, thousands of people and activists from all over the world will gather in Gaza for a historic march against the naked brutality being carried out by Israel in enforcing the illegal occupation there. A COSATU delegation, together with other South Africans, including former Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils, will be part of the march to the Erez border crossing between Gaza and Israel. Its aim is to focus international attention on the ongoing and inhumane siege of Gaza and its population of 1.5 million people.

Marking the one-year anniversary of the December 2008 Israeli massacre that killed more than 1,400 people – mostly civilians - thousands of Arab and Jewish activists, intellectuals, artists, professionals, trade unionists, human rights activists, Holocaust survivors, among others will express solidarity with beleaguered Palestinians in Gaza.
COSATU will join the global march to pledge our continued support for the freedom of all Palestinians, for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and, specifically, for the lifting of the siege on Gaza.

Israel’s blockade of Gaza is an unashamed violation of international law and is collective punishment which has led...

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Note:
I've always been told that South Africa and Israel were really good allies, especially during the apartheid era but, little did I know really how close the two opressive governments worked together.

In the next few weeks, I'll be digging around for more information regarding this and other related matters.

My question is this: Why is the current government of South Africa even trading with Israel? Don't they know what's going on or are they just in the game for the money?
End of note:

Israel and South Africa
excerpted from the book
Israeli Foreign Policy
by Jane Hunter
South End Press, 1987




History
Israel's ties with South Africa seem to be especially disturbing to many who follow Israel's international activities. Perhaps it is natural that Israel has been castigated more harshly for its arms sales to South Africa than for its sales to other countries: first, because there has been for a decade an arms embargo against South Africa; and second, because of the unsurpassed criminality of the white regime and the uses to which it puts the Israeli-supplied weapons.
It has also been said that those arms sales are understandable, given the striking similarities between the two countries in their day-to-day abuse and repression of their...

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Originally published on Monday, 13 July 2009 10:13

by Safiyyah Surtee

A report published last month by the Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign, and endorsed by the Palestinian BDS (Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions) National Committee, is scathing of South African business - including South African parastatals - for their relations with Israel.

Entitled ‘Democratic South Africa's Complicity in Israel's Occupation, Colonialism and Apartheid', the 58 page report details South Africa's economic ties with Israel, and the political and related social consequences thereof. It analyses a number of South African companies' involvement or contribution to Israel's occupation industry, and reviews government initiatives which aim to promote trade relations with Israel.

Paul Buford, from BDS was involved in researching and writing the report. He told AMEC that, " we chose to look closer at South Africa after the dockworkers action in response to Gaza. While dockworkers showed that some sectors are really serious about BDS, we were still coming across contracts between Israeli firms and the South African government...after we started working, it became clear that there were a considerable number of Israeli companies actively profiting from or involved with the apartheid system in the West Bank and Gaza involved either directly with...

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Worldwide Activism, Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign, February 12th, 2009

South African dockworkers from the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) achieved a victory when they stood firm by their decision not to offload the Johanna Russ, a ship carrying Israeli goods to South Africa, despite both threats to COSATU members from sections of the pro-Israeli lobby and severe provocation.

The Johanna Russ, flying an Antigua flag, is owned by M. Dizengoff and Co., an established "pioneer of the modern era of shipping business in the Middle
East" and shipping agent for the Zim Israel Navigation Company.

The workers action took place despite attempted subterfuge on the part of the owners of the shipping company. There was an attempt to confound the plan
by arriving earlier than originally scheduled, with dates for the berthing of the Johanna Russ constantly changing. Dockworkers were told that the ship would dock 8 February, but soon discovered that the ship had docked two days prior and was due to be offloaded. When workers realised that it had docked they refused to handle it, despite pressure from management, and attempted to ensure that scab labour would not be used. A few hours later, the Johanna Russ snuck out of the Durban Harbour.

COSATU has decided to intensify its efforts in support of the struggle of the Palestinian people. This recent victory is prompting further action, and other unions are currently in discussion about how to support COSATU resolutions on BDS against Israel. This includes a refusal to handle Israeli goods as well as continuing pressure on the South African government to sever diplomatic and trade relations with Israel.

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Originally published on 11 January 2009

The following response to statement on Gaza by the Jewish Board of Deputies (et al.) had 89 signatories as of Sunday afternoon. They include the following prominent people: Max Price (VC of UCT), Anton Harber (journalist), Jonathan Shapiro (cartoonist), Jonny Steinberg (author), Graeme Bloch (activist), Andrew Feinstein (former MP), Deborah Posel (academic), and Lael Bethlehem (CEO of the Johannesburg Development Agency.) The original statement and the names of the signatories can be found here.

Response by members of the South African Jewish community to a statement by the Jewish Board of Deputies, Zionist Federation and Chief Rabbi concerning Israel's attack on Gaza, January 11 2009

The Jewish Board of Deputies, Zionist Federation and Chief Rabbi have issued a statement titled "South African Jewish Community on the Situation in Gaza" (see here). It claims that the "South African Jewish Community firmly supports the decision of the Government of Israel to launch a military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip."

We are members of the South African Jewish Community. While we recognise the existence of communal structures, we are distressed that they purport to speak for us and the many Jews who are uncomfortable with the destruction in Gaza, claiming one collective view for the entire community. Given the divergence of opinion within the community, their approach is irresponsible and we are forced to respond.

We are dismayed by the disproportionate use of force by the Israeli military in Gaza. So far over 750 Palestinians and 13 Israelis have been killed. Many of the Palestinian casualties are civilians -- unarmed and uninvolved in any operations against Israel. We deplore all the lives lost whether in Sderot or Gaza. We are acutely aware that while parts of Southern Israel have lived under the constant threat of Hamas rockets, the residents of Gaza are experiencing significantly greater terror and destruction.

We strongly oppose the rockets Hamas has been firing into Israel before and during this bombardment. These have deliberately targeted civilians and we call on communities and groups vocal in their support for the Palestinians to condemn these, as we do.

As members of the Jewish community we recognise that Israel's response is an inhumane and disproportionate collective punishment prohibited under international law. We also condemn the long siege Israel has inflicted on the people of Gaza and call for this to be immediately lifted to allow food, medical supplies, fuel, electricity and foreign aid to reach credible agencies in Gaza.

We call for an immediate ceasefire by both sides and lifting of the siege of Gaza. We also recognise that Gaza's fate, in the minds of Palestinians and in reality, cannot be severed from the West Bank and that ending the occupation in the West Bank is a critical part of resolving tensions in the region.

Reaching a negotiated settlement between Israelis and Palestinians is an extremely difficult challenge as it is and the attack on Gaza moves us further away from this goal. We also call on the Jewish Board of Deputies not to exacerbate local tensions with statements that demonstrate a lack of compassion for Palestinian lives.

Signed:

1. Nathan Geffen


2. Doron Isaacs


3. Leah Abramsohn


4. Jane Arthur


5. Vanessa Barolsky


6. Sheila Basel


7. Sam Beckbessinger


8. Keren Ben-Zeev


9. Jonathan Berger


10. Kim Berman


11. Lael Bethlehem


12. Graeme Bloch


13. Bradley Bordiss


14. Joel Bregman


15. Daniel Browde


16. Emma Browde


17. Steven Budlender


18. Tali Cassidy


19. Jared Chaitowitz


20. Ivor Chipkin


21. Viv Cohen


22. Liat Davis


23. Gordon Driver


24. Erika Elk


25. Daniel Eppel


26. Merle Favis


27. Judy Favish


28. Andrew Feinstein


29. Joe Fine


30. Meghan Finn


31. Roslyn Fish


32. Adrian Friedman


33. Michel Friedman


34. Shelagh Gastrow


35. Ingrid Gavshon


36. Tessa Frootko Gordon


37. Harris Gordon


38. Lara Granville


39. Anton Harber


40. Jesse Harber


41. Joey Hasson


42. Rebecca Hodes


43. Anthony Hodgson


44. Timothy Fish Hodgson


45. Jonathan Hoffenberg


46. Suzanne Hotz


47. Gilad Isaacs


48. Maureen Isaacson


49. Michel Joffe


50. Elle Katzeff


51. Skye Katzeff


52. David Kaplan


53. Tessa de Kock


54. Emma Levy


55. Leon Levy


56. Lorna Levy


57. Lynne Lomofsky


58. Daniel Mackintosh


59. Lauren Niedel


60. Colin Purkey


61. Jeremy Raizon


62. Steven Robins


63. Philip Krause


64. Robert Krause


65. Deborah Posel


66. Max Price


67. Jessica Price


68. Ariella Raucher


69. Maxine Reitzes


70. Jeff Rudin


71. Charlotte Schaer


72. Kira Schlesinger


73. Minky Schlesinger


74. Julia Shapiro


75. Leonard Shapiro


76. Yvonne Shapiro


77. Rosemary Shapiro-Liu


78. Jessica Sherman


79. Gavin Silber


80. Melinda Silverman


81. Jonny Steinberg


82. Brett Steingo


83. Eitan Stern


84. John Stodel


85. Carly Tanur


86. Tara Weinberg


87. Sean Wasserman


88. Zapiro


89. Kelly Zimbler

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The Gift of the Givers Foundation has confirmed that their mercy flight to Gaza, carrying 84 tons of aid valued at R15m will depart on January 19. Medical and media tills will accompany the flight, says foundation chairman, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, adding “We have one week to do our best. The aid includes medical equipment valued at R4 million, medicines valued at R2 million, food, water and energy supplements valued at R4 million. The medical team comes at a cost of another R1 million and blankets, toys and generations valued at another R1 million.”

The aid is being sent to Gaza in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the aid was being collected by Cosatu, the South African Council of Churches, SA Bishops Conference and the Anglican Church. The Jumbo 747 that will take the aid to Gaza was due to arrive in South Africa from Riyadh. Special permission is in the process of being obtained in negotiations between Foreign Affairs and the governments of Jordan, Syria and Israel to ensure that the aid is allowed in through a special corridor and that the flight is guaranteed the right to land in Jordan.

“The only country that Israel allows to fly in is Jordan and the talks are now underway to ensure that when this flight comes in, the bombs will stop falling in that particular area. We hope to bring the aid in via the West Bank, but Israel wants to see what is being brought in and we have no problem on our side to show them. If I have to, I will deal with the devil himself to get aid to the people,” Sooliman told VOC last week. VOC.
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In the apartheid era, political violence in South Africa was invariably seen in black and white. But in the wave of anti-immigrant carnage that swept the country this month, all 42 of those killed were black. So were all of the tens of thousands who lost their homes. And all the mobs that beat, raped, robbed
and burned them alive were also black. The hatred and violence that has shaken a country that optimistically proclaims itself a "Rainbow Nation" was not about racism; it was a symptom of globalization.

One of the defining phenomena of our age is migration. As the world shrinks and economies integrate, national boundaries become less important. At least, that's the theory. In reality, there is an elite of international professionals who do live comparable and seamlessly connected lives, whether they be in New York or New Delhi, Johannesburg or Tokyo. But among the world's poor, things do not go as smoothly.

Advocates of globalization are correct that free trade and free markets have raised average incomes around the world. The World Bank reports that the proportion
of people living on less than $2 a day shrank from 67% in 1981 to 47% in 2004. But $2 still isn't very much. And other research, such as a 2004 report by the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization, has found that while the average person might be better off in absolute terms, he or she is also often relatively worse off: 59% of the planet is living in countries with widening inequality, while just 5% are in countries where disparity is declining. Separate studies suggest that the boom of the last two decades may be the first in which real wages failed to rise.

"Globalization might be creating rich countries with poor people," as economist Joseph Stiglitz noted. That much is apparent in South Africa, whose post-apartheid government adopted an open market economy that drew cheers from Wall Street and the international banking community. That policy helped it achieved an impressive, steady annual economic growth rate of 4%-5%. But that growth rate has done little to reverse inequality or reverse dangerously high levels of unemployment. In November last year, the South African Institute of Race Relations estimated 4.2 million South Africans were living on $1 a day in 2005, up from 1.9 million in 1996, two years after the end of apartheid. Globalization was supposed to be the tide to lift all boats, but the evidence in South Africa suggests that millions of boats are not merely missing the tide, they're in an entirely different ocean.

Your experience of globalization, then, depends on what you have in the bank. In business class, the world is your village, and you're connected with your counterparts from all corners. Those traveling in steerage, however, are not integrating. Millions of people every year seek to migrate, legally and illegally, from poor countries, either to the industrialized world or to more prosperous developing countries such as South Africa. But the poor in the developing world are determined not to diminish the little they have by sharing it with foreign migrants, and are erecting as many barriers as possible to outsiders settling in their midst.

Along with the growing cosmopolitanism of the wealthy and the professionals of the new economy, globalization has been accompanied by a surge in xenophobia. The phenomenon may have taken a graphically violent form in South Africa in recent weeks, but even in Europe the surge of populist xenophobia since the 1990s has propelled previously fringe groups such as the British National Party, Jean-Marie Le Pen's Front National in France, neo-Nazis in Germany and the assassinated Pim Fontuyn's eponymous party in the Netherlands into the political mainstream. Last October, the Swiss People's Party won the largest single share of the vote — 29% — in a general election using a campaign poster depicting three white sheep kicking a black sheep off the Swiss flag. Surveys show that even the United States, a nation built on immigration, is now more hostile to immigration than at any time in its history, and no presidential candidate dares oppose the plan to fence off Mexico. The 2007 Pew Global Attitudes Survey found that that a majority in every country except Japan, South Korea and the Palestinian territories wanted immigration reduced. And those most vehemently opposed were in the poorer countries: Cote D'Ivoire, a departure point to Europe for migrants from all over Africa, scored highest with 94% support for immigration curbs. At 89% were Indonesia, Malaysia and South Africa.


There are many lessons the "Rainbow Nation" can draw from its recent wave of anti-immigrant violence. Chief among them may be that xenophobia is less about color than about resources, and that the government would be well advised to concentrate less on the black-white divide of the past than on today's chasm between the haves and the have-nots. Apartheid may have made racist despots out of whites; globalization amid inequality and enduring poverty can make a bigot out of anybody.

source: = http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1810805,00.html?iid=sphere-inline-bottom No Trackbacks

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