Gauteng marchers join global outcry as Israeli bombardment devastates Gaza

The Solidarity Walk for Palestine in Soweto saw Gauteng residents take a stand on Saturday against the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.
As Israel's bombardments continue to devastate the besieged enclave, the marchers called for the protection of Palestinian human rights, the right to self-determination and an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images
Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images
Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images
Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images
Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images
Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images
Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images
Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Yahoo

20 minutes ago

• Yahoo

What we know about pro-Palestine Action protest today

The head of the Metropolitan Police has said he is "shocked and frustrated" about a planned protest in London on Monday in support of Palestine Action. The group is on the verge of being proscribed by the government, effectively branding it a terrorist organisation. Last week, Palestine Action activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and sprayed two British military planes with red paint in protest against support for Israel in the war in Gaza. The group has called the government plan to proscribe it as "absurd", but home secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to outline the plan in Parliament on Monday. Palestine Action is a protest network in support of Palestine that takes direct action against Israeli weapons factories based in the UK, often occupying premises, or causing criminal damage and vandalism. Palestine Action was founded by Huda Ammori, 31, and Richard Barnard, 51, and was established on 30 July 2020 when activists broke into the UK headquarters of Israeli weapons company Elbit Systems in London and sprayed red paint in the interior. Ammori, from Bolton, was born to a Palestinian father and an Iraqi mother, and graduated from the University of Manchester, and was a supporter of the Labour Party when it was led by Jeremy Corbyn. Barnard, raised Catholic, is a former member of the radical Catholic Worker movement and Extinction Rebellion. Palestine Action has staged a number of protests in recent months, including spraying the London offices of Allianz Insurance with red paint over its alleged links to Israeli weapons company Elbit, as well as vandalising Donald Trump's Turnberry golf course in Scotland. A spokesperson for Palestine Action said: 'When our government fails to uphold their moral and legal obligations, it is the responsibility of ordinary citizens to take direct action. The terrorists are the ones committing a genocide, not those who break the tools used to commit it.' A protest in support of Palestine Action is set for midday on Monday in central London. Originally, protesters had been told to gather at the Houses of Parliament, but this was changed on Monday morning to Trafalgar Square. But Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said on Sunday: 'I'm sure many people will be as shocked and frustrated as I am to see a protest taking place tomorrow in support of Palestine Action. 'This is an organised extremist criminal group, whose proscription as terrorists is being actively considered. 'The right to protest is essential and we will always defend it, but actions in support of such a group go beyond what most would see as legitimate protest." Rowley said that until the group is proscribed the Metropolitan Police has 'no power in law' to prevent the protest taking place, adding that breaches of the law would be 'dealt with robustly'. On Monday, home secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to deliver a statement to be put before Parliament to proscribe Palestine Action, which would effectively brand it a terror group. She has the power to proscribe an organisation under the Terrorism Act of 2000 if she believes it is 'concerned in terrorism'. After laying out an order in Parliament, it would need to be backed by MPs and the House of Lords for the group to be banned. If passed, it would make it a criminal offence to belong to Palestine Action or support it. There are currently 81 organisations that are proscribed, including Islamist terrorist groups such as Hamas and al Qaida. Palestine Action member Saeed Taji Farouky told the BBC the government plan to proscribe the group was "absurd". He said it "rips apart the very basic concepts of British democracy and the rule of law" and added: "It's something everyone should be terrified about." On Friday, Palestine Action posted footage online showing two people inside the base at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. In the clip, one person rides an electric scooter up to an Airbus Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker and appears to spray paint into its jet engine. The incident is being investigated by counter-terror police. However, former justice secretary Lord Charlie Falconer said vandalising aircraft at RAF Brize Norton would not solely provide legal justification for proscribing the group. He told Sky News: "Generally, that sort of demonstration wouldn't justify proscription so there must be something else that I don't know about.' The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) welcomed the government's stance, with chief executive Gideon Falter saying: 'Nobody should be surprised that those who vandalised Jewish premises with impunity have now been emboldened to sabotage RAF jets.' The group has previously targeted Jewish-owned businesses that it says are linked to Elbit Systems, commenting: "We treat all businesses which work with Israel's biggest weapons firm equally, whether they're 'Jewish-owned' or not." Former home secretary Suella Braverman said banning the group was 'absolutely the correct decision'. However, Tom Southerden, from Amnesty International UK, said: 'Terrorism powers should never have been used to aggravate criminal charges against Palestine Action activists and they certainly shouldn't be used to ban them. 'Instead of suppressing protest against the UK's military support for Israel, the UK should be taking urgent action to prevent Israel's genocide and end any risk of UK complicity in it.' And former shadow attorney general Baroness Shami Chakrabarti told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday: 'They certainly committed acts of criminal trespass and criminal damage, painting planes at Brize Norton and so on, but I think that's not what most people would understand as terrorism, and to proscribe Palestine Action on the information that we have all seen, I think would be a new departure."

News24

32 minutes ago

• News24

Malema slams R700m price tag for ‘useless' National Dialogue in face of high unemployment

@EFFSouthAfrica/X formerly Twitter EFF leader Julius Malema has strongly criticised the estimated R700 million price tag for the National Dialogue, accusing the government of prioritising funds for 'ukukhuluma' (talking) while neglecting financial support for the youth. During Sunday's funeral service for seven of the 10 EFF supporters who died in a bus accident on Youth Day in KwaZulu-Natal, Malema called for the establishment of a permanent unemployment grant in South Africa. 'This country can afford it. There is no shortage of money, only shortage of political will. We have R700 million for useless National Dialogue, but when it comes to feeding the children of the poor, suddenly, the budget is under pressure. 'R700 million of ukukhuluma (talking), asikhulume (let's talk), vula'mlomo (gift or payment to initiate talks) ... R700 million is available for such nonsensical programmes, yet our people are unemployed. We say to this government, the youth are watching. They will not forget your indifference,' said Malema. News24 previously reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a national convention on 15 August to set the agenda for the National Dialogue. He also announced that a group of eminent South Africans, including Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and renowned actor John Kani, would guide the dialogue. An estimate that R700 million would be required to fund the national talks to craft a new path for the country has been widely criticised. Malema delivered the keynote address at the mass funeral of seven of the 10 EFF supporters who died when their bus collided with a truck on the R34 near Ulundi in northern KwaZulu-Natal last Monday. They were returning home from a Youth Day rally at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi. The funeral was held at the Cecil Emmett Hall in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal. Two of the supporters will be buried in a private ceremony, while another will be buried in Zimbabwe. The seven are: Sibongakonke Mbatha, 17; Phumlani Zulu, 36; Nontombi Radebe, 19; Lungani Mbatha, 26; Ayanda Khumalo, 27; Gcwalisile Sibisi, 44; Siboniso Manqele, 23; and Thokozani Mashazi, 30. Senior ANC and IFP leaders in the province also attended the funeral. Malema said when a roll call was taken on 17 June, the 10 supporters did not respond. 'These are not just names in headlines or numbers in a report, these were young people who had dreams. They were full of life, full of promise, and full of the courage that defines the children of working class and oppressed families,' said Malema. He said black communities should not normalise premature deaths. 'Their death must not be in vain. Their passing must become a turning point. We must honour them not only with flowers ... We must fix our roads, regulate the transport industry and demand accountability.' EFF/X Malema told mourners that his party had been championing the fight to reduce data, electricity and education costs. The EFF, he said, also called for justice for the crimes of apartheid because the murderers of the past were living with impunity. 'We want the TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) recommendation implemented. We want those who committed crimes against humanity to face the full might of the law, and we will not rest until there is justice for our people.' Malema said some young people die of hunger, depression and hopelessness. He added: Today, 45.1% of South Africa's youth are unemployed. Almost one in every two young people is without work. They wake up every morning with no salary, no opportunity and no dignity. 'They stand on the street corners with degrees and diplomas while others are denied even the chance to study because this government has still failed to deliver free quality decolonised education and a promise made on stages and forgotten boardrooms.' According to Stats SA, the current youth unemployment rate is 46.1%. Meanwhile, Malema said in South Africa prisoners receive three meals a day, have access to free uniforms, and are offered education and rehabilitation programmes, while some young people go to bed on empty stomachs. In Parliament, the EFF would continue to fight until young people had access to free education, decent work and a basic income, he said. He claimed the EFF was the only political home in South Africa that did not treat its youth like ornaments. READ | UPDATED: 'They died in the line of duty' – EFF says of 10 party members killed in KZN bus crash 'We do not make them sing songs in corners while elders speak. No, we elect them. We send them to Parliament. We put them in front of microphones, in front of enemies and in front of history. 'Today, in the Parliament of South Africa, young leaders from the EFF benches stand boldly and speak truth to power. They interrogate ministers, they expose looters, they write legislation, and they make sure that the voice of the youth is not just heard, but it's impossible to ignore.' He told the parents of the 10 EFF supporters that they should be proud because their children died on the battlefield. 'We must continue to be disciplined and die in the revolution because to die in a revolution must be an honour. And as a result, we're going to honour all of these 10 fallen heroes, each one of them with a house, a proper house that has got all the facilities,' he announced. Should there be no access to water, Malema said the party would build boreholes to restore the families' dignity. Malema ended his address with the 'Kill the Boer' chant. Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa said the tragedy shouldn't have happened. 'To be visited by God in this way while carrying out the important work of the nation does not sit well with anyone. We will carry you in our prayers.' Hlengwa revealed that the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) had given him a preliminary report on the circumstances surrounding the accident. The deputy minister said the department had been discussing the need to engage political parties on transport arrangements for their members as part of the government's review of the national road safety strategy. 'We have done this with the churches, and we want to call for a closer working relationship and collaboration, particularly in areas of pooling and sharing of information and resources.'

News24

4 hours ago

• News24

Gauteng marchers join global outcry as Israeli bombardment devastates Gaza

The Solidarity Walk for Palestine in Soweto saw Gauteng residents take a stand on Saturday against the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza. As Israel's bombardments continue to devastate the besieged enclave, the marchers called for the protection of Palestinian human rights, the right to self-determination and an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images