Palestinian civil society calls on democratic South Africa to end complicity with Israeli apartheid

Download full report at:
http://bdsmovement.net/files/SA-Israel%20report%20-%20june%202009.pdf

The Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) has released a report
entitled 'Democratic South Africa’s complicity in Israel’s occupation,
colonialism and apartheid', based on research from the Palestinian
grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign (STW). The report discusses South African economic relations with Israel as well as the related political
and institutional framework. Analyzing dozens of cases of commercial
ties and political initiatives, it proves once again that trade
relations with Israel necessarily require involvement in or complicity
with Israeli violations of human rights and international law, including
assistance to Israeli occupation, colonialism and apartheid.

This report focuses exclusively on South African relations with Israel
in the post-apartheid era, in an understanding that, within a context
where on the ground the only deal offered to the Palestinian people are
Bantustans, South African support to the Palestinian people can never
offset its support to Israeli occupation and its apartheid regime. The
latter rather risks contributing to the Bantustanization of Palestine.

It calls on South African government "to join the growing movement for
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel, starting with:

At the national level:

o A full ban on all products, investments and services related to the
settlements,the Apartheid Wall or other Israeli policies of occupation,
colonialism and apartheid;
o Cancellation of existing contracts between Israeli firms and South
African public enterprises, based on the former’s involvement in grave
violations of international law;
o An end to governmental trade- promoting activities;
o Immediate freeze of any ratification process of agreements and
annulling their signature, especially where related to trade and investment.

Internationally:

o Promotion of and support for international calls for a comprehensive
arms embargo on Israel;
o Enforcement of the 2004 Declaration on Palestine of the Non Aligned
Movement Summit in Durban on the ban of products and services from the
settlements;
o Promotion of the global movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
against Israel until it fully complies with its obligations under
international law.

The above represent some elements for regulations which limit trade with
Israel as concrete and immediate steps towards full sanctions against
Israel. They would ensure that the South African government and its
business community gradually end aid and assistance to Israeli
occupation, colonialism and apartheid and fall in line with South
Africa’s obligations under international law, its foreign policy and its
exemplary constitution.

These measures are to be upheld until Israel respects international law
and human rights, in particular:

1. Ends its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantles
the Wall;
2. Recognizes the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of
Israel to full equality; and
3. Respects, protects and promotes the rights of Palestinian refugees to
return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194."


Download full report at:
http://bdsmovement.net/files/SA-Israel%20report%20-%20june%202009.pdf