SA Zionist Federation opposed to CoJ's proposal to rename Sandton Drive after Palestinian activist

JOHANNESBURG - The South African Zionist Federation said it is opposed to the City of Joburg’s proposal to rename Sandton Drive after a Palestinian activist and freedom fighter.

The City of Joburg announced on Monday that it was considering renaming the road Leila Khaled Drive to honour her fight against the oppression of Palestinian people.

The city has given the public until 18 October to comment on the proposal before it is taken to council to either reject or adopt it.

The South African Zionist Federation is the latest organisation to voice its disapproval of the City of Joburg’s proposal to rename Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive.

The federation’s spokesperson, Rolene Marks, said that the city was disregarding its own legislation by renaming the road after a Palestinian activist.

"It is also potentially burdening for businesses, address changes and undermines confidence in the city."

The city’s policy states that naming a street or a public place after a living person must be avoided, fearing community opinions on the figure might change over time.

The petition to rename Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive has been supported by both the African National Congress (ANC) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in previous years.