STATEMENT: Union of Muslim Students' Association of South Africa Endorses the cultural boycott on Israeli Independence day on the 15th of April 2013

                                          

The Union of Muslim Students' Association South Africa (MSA Union), in our commitment to justice, freedom and equality, endorses and pledges full support to the boycott and protesting of the celebration of Israeli Independence Day.

Yom Ha'atzmaut, which is known as Israeli Independence Day, will be taking place on the 15th of April 2013 to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Jewish State which came into being by ethnic cleansing, dispossession and the massacre of the indigenous Palestinian population. The celebration of Israeli Independence will be taking place this year at the Lyric Theatre in Gold Reef City, in which both South African and Israeli Musicians and choirs will be partaking in the event- namely the Wits Choir - in a concert entitled "The Miracle of Israel: A Symphonic Celebration."

The cultural boycott calls all supporters of peace and justice in society to join the protest, and urges artists taking part in the concert to cancel their acts, as the concert clearly defies the international boycott-of-Israel line by accepting funding and sponsorship from official Israeli sources such as El Al, IUA, UCF and the Israel Centre, and secondly by hosting Israeli artists who have not distanced themselves from Israel's occupation and apartheid regime.

In the spirit of resistance, unity and success which we have gained from the epoch of Israeli Apartheid Week this year, the MSA Union and individual MSA chapters has realised the importance of furthering our stance on the Palestinian struggle in the name of freedom, justice and equality.  We believe that supporting a principled boycott and pledging solidarity must be reinforced by being more active in our stance.

MSA Union, along with Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel in South Africa (BDS South Africa),  South African Communist Party(SACP), COSATU, Young Communits League , Coalition for a Free Palestine, Media Review Network (MRN), Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA), South African Artists Against Apartheid, StopTheJNF South Africa, Tuks Palestine Solidarity Committee, Wits University Palestine Solidarity Committee, South African Students Congres (SASCO) and Kairos Southern Africa, has endorsed the statement released by StopTheJNF and Kol Tsedek South Africa, to reaffirm our support and endorsement of the cultural boycott on Yom Ha'atzmaut, and we encourage all our members, constituents and supporters to do the same and partake in the protest.

For more information, contact 0714565104 or 0842119988.

Statement issued by Yusuf Talia, President and Sumayya Omar, Political Officer, of the MSA Union of South Africa

Yusuf Talia: yusuf.talia@gmail.com / 071-677-2391

Sumayya Omar: sumz01@hotmail.co.za / 071-456-5104