The Muslim Students’ Association of South Africa (MSA Union) officially expressed its dire concern today over the recent attacks that have plagued Gaza by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). Gaza has endured over 30 air raids in the past 48 hours, along with the threat of an eminent Israeli ground assault- reminiscent of Operation Cast Lead.
According to reports in the Associated Press, On Wednesday 14th November 2012, Ahmed Al-Jabari – the most senior official of Hamas' armed unit – was assassinated by the IDF. Not long after, the intensive bombing raid ensued. The assassination of Jabari comes as a clear sign of Israel's stance towards the democratically elected resistance movement inside Palestine. The IDF has claimed that this is the first stage of 'Operation Cloud Pillar', a pre-coordinated military operation, with Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu claiming that "ALL options are on the table".
As the violence escalates, sources inside Israel have claimed that Israeli troops are gathering at the Southern border of Gaza. Already more than fifteen people have been murdered, with reports confirming that those among them include women and children, as well as more than one hundred Palestinians wounded.
"MSA Union is an organization based on Islamic principles, and through our history with Apartheid, stand against all Human Rights violations", said MSA Union President Yusuf Talia. "For far too long has the South African Government – as human rights watchdogs – been silent on the issue of Palestine. As MSA Union, we condemn the attacks carried out by the Israeli military, and are calling on our government for the withdrawal of the South African Ambassador to Israel, as well as the adoption of boycotts and sanctions on Israel."
The Union of Muslim Students in South Africa calls for the end of all diplomatic ties between South Africa and Israel until a solution can be formulated which encompasses equal rights to all citizens- No Bantustans, but rather a country in which all citizens can live, with the right of return for those who have been exiled.
MSA Union also reaffirms our BDS stance, calling for nations to support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions on Israel.
Issued by MSA Union
For more information email union@msa.org.za
Yusuf Talia, MSA Union President, 071 677 2391/ 076 153 8262
Latest figures report that 18 Palestinians have been killed including 11 civilians from two days of Israeli airstrikes (466 air strikes according to the Israeli army)* *Al Jazeera, 16th November, 08:25
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