The International Israeli Apartheid week has kicked off in over 40 forty countries around the world. Various Palestinian solidarity activities have been planned in cities across the globe. The week aims to create awareness of the injustices perpetrated in Palestine and to go beyond the daily violence and brutality of the Israeli Occupation to focus on other critical dimensions to the Palestinian crisis.

South Africa will join in these activities to show solidarity with Palestine and to isolate all organisations and individuals doing business with Israel and its supporters.  The effort is being spearheaded by trade union federation Cosatu. Cosatu says that they will seek to ensure that no form of support is rendered by the South African government to prop up Israel. On Friday a march is planned to the Israeli Embassy in Pretoria. A mass Jumah salaah will also be led by Ml Ihsaan Hendricks.

Buses will be leaving from Johannesburg in the morning. Film screenings and a social meeting will be hosted by the Wits University Palestine Solidarity Committee during the week and the Palestine Solidarity Group has organised activities in the Western Cape. Meanwhile the head of Dubai’s police, Dhafi Khalfan says he is certain that Israel is behind the assassination of Hamas coordinator, Mahmood Al Mabhouh. He is now calling for the arrest of Mossad boss, Meir Dagan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. People carrying Israeli passports will also not be allowed in the Arab Emirate.