Palestinian solidarity groups urge govt, civil society to end all trade & diplomatic ties with Israel

Palestinian solidarity groups are calling on both government and civil society to end all trade and diplomatic ties with Israel.

This follows a protest in Cape Town on Saturday, where thousands marched in solidarity with Palestinians and demanded stronger action from South Africa.

The march was led by the Al-Quds Foundation, the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and culminated in the handing over of a memorandum of demands to Parliament's House chairperson, Cedric Frolick.

Among the demands is the closure of the Israeli embassy in South Africa and the outlawing of Zionism in the country.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s Usuf Chikte said they expect a formal response from government within 14 days.

"We know what apartheid is and we are determined to abolish it in Israel, what we do need to do is to go beyond words and into action, and we want action now."