Anti-Israel activists in South Africa have taken their hostility to the Jewish state to a new extreme. At a protest organized by “BDS South Africa” last Wednesday at Johannesburg’s Wits University, some demonstrators were heard to sing “dubula ijuda” —…
Tag Archive for COSATU
South Africa: COSATU reaffirms support for BDS on Nakba Day
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In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Congress of South African Trade Unions has chosen to reaffirm its solidarity with the Palestinian cause using the excuse of ‘al-Nakba Day’. They translate that as ‘the day of the catastrophe” and by…
South Africa: Unions defend disruption of concert at which an Israeli “publicly-admitted Zionist” performed
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The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg has found itself in the center of a dispute involving Israelis, Palestinians — and now, the trade unions. An Israeli pianist, Yossi Reshef, was giving a piano concert at the university on…
South Africa: Violence erupts at Israel Independence Day celebrations in Johannesburg as unions denounce “Jewish lobby”
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In yet another example of deteriorating relations between some South African trade unions and the local Jewish community, a major rift has broken out over a protest that took place at a celebration of Israeli Independence Day in Johannesburg. According…
South Africa: COSATU’s double standard on deaths in police custody
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The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), a long-time supporter of the Palestinian cause, has issued a very strong statement whose headline belies its content. The headline reads “COSATU calls for an international investigation into the death of Arafat…
COSATU’s Masuku: Discussion of miners’ massacre “diverts attention” from Israeli policies
by ericlee • • Comments Off on COSATU’s Masuku: Discussion of miners’ massacre “diverts attention” from Israeli policies
On the very day that South African police opened fire and killed dozens of striking mine workers, the country’s national trade union centre, COSATU, issued two statements (here and here) condemning … Israel. Irish trade unionist Tom Carew wrote to…
Global unions hail Histadrut victory following general strike
by ericlee • • Comments Off on Global unions hail Histadrut victory following general strike
The pro-Hamas wing of the international labour movement is not going to like this one bit. The Histadrut’s general strike and the concessions it wrung from the Israeli government have won it accolades from across the international labour movement. This…
South Africa: Unions welcome holding of anti-Israel “tribunal” in Cape Town
by ericlee • • Comments Off on South Africa: Unions welcome holding of anti-Israel “tribunal” in Cape Town
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) has warmly welcomed the holding of the third Russell Tribunal on Palestine (RToP) this coming weekend in Cape Town. In a statement issued three days ago, the union wrote: “It is…
COSATU calls for military embargo on Israel - and says not a word about Syria
by ericlee • • Comments Off on COSATU calls for military embargo on Israel - and says not a word about Syria
On Friday, the Congress of South African Trade Unions issued yet another anti-Israel statement — this time focussing on the need for a “military embargo” on the Jewish state. The statement accuses Israel of both war crimes and crimes against…
COSATU calls for a boycott of the Histadrut, claims Israel worse than apartheid
by ericlee • • Comments Off on COSATU calls for a boycott of the Histadrut, claims Israel worse than apartheid
South Africa’s national trade union centre, COSATU, has issued a May Day statement to a conference that’s building trade union support for the campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) targeting Israel. COSATU’s statement refers to “the growing brutality of…