Thousands of South Africans marched through central Cape Town on Saturday. They called for the government to cut diplomatic and trade ties with Israel and close its embassy. Organisers said the Cape Town Gaza march united civil society groups, faith organisations and political parties. Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and submitted demands to Parliament.
Memorandum to Parliament
A convoy of motorcycles and bicycles led the crowd to Parliament. There, a memorandum called for “urgent and decisive action.” It urged the termination of diplomatic relations with Israel and the suspension of trade in coal and arms. Other goods and the halting of cultural, academic, and sporting links were also mentioned. The document pressed for accountability for South African companies that support Israel.
Calls to Close the Embassy
Usuf Chikte of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign told the crowd the state should expel Israel’s ambassador and close the embassy. He said South Africa must “boycott, divest and sanction Israel,” drawing parallels to anti-apartheid pressure. The Cape Town Gaza march amplified these calls, demanding stronger measures to match the country’s international stance.
Context of the Conflict
The protest comes as South Africa pursues a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. This is a charge Israel denies. The march’s backdrop is the war that followed the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack, which killed 1,219 people in Israel. Israel’s offensive in Gaza, where at least 65,926 people have died, adds to the context. These figures are cited by organisers and media reports.
Escalating Demands
Protesters also called for Israel’s exclusion from global sporting bodies, including FIFA. They called for Pretoria to prosecute any South Africans who join the Israel Defense Forces. The Cape Town Gaza march sought to convert South Africa’s vocal international criticism into concrete domestic action.
What Organisers Want Next
Campaigners said the government should delink South Africa from Israel across diplomacy, trade and culture. They framed the demands as consistent with the country’s anti-apartheid legacy and urged immediate steps to implement them. The Cape Town Gaza march ended with the memorandum delivered and organisers vowing to sustain pressure.
