‘Free Palestine Movement’ Praises S. Africa For Backing Palestine

A letter was handed over by representatives of the Free Palestine Movement of Sri Lanka to South African Deputy High Commissioner, René Everson-Varney, after a protest was conducted opposite the South African High Commission of Sri Lanka, expressing support to South Africa for filing a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. 
(PiX by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe)   

• South Africa’s case will be heard on the 11th and 12th of this month (January), and for many of us who have been fighting for International Justice for war crimes committed here, this is a huge breakthrough
• Even though Israel may not agree to a ceasefire or change in its military tactics, the very fact that Israel has to defend itself at the ICJ - a United Nations sponsored body - makes it harder for it to brush aside an adverse finding of the ICJ

On January 8 (Monday) representatives of the ‘Free Palestine Movement of Sri Lanka,’ gathered opposite the South African High Commission of Sri Lanka to appreciate and express their support to South Africa for filing a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. 

The Free Palestine Movement of Sri Lanka wishes to express the deep appreciation of all peace and justice loving Sri Lankans for the decisive step South Africa has taken to challenge Israel in the International Court of Justice,” underscores a paragraph in the letter handed over by the participants of this Free Palestine Movement of Sri Lanka to the Deputy Ambassador of South Africa, René Everson-Varney. Also present when the letter was handed over was Palestinian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Dr. Zuhair M.H. Zaid. 

South Africa stands with Palestine and the people of Palestine. South Africa has condemned Israel since the start of the war. International media reported that South Africa had filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on December 29.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror one of the organisers of this solidarity gathering, Shreen Abdul Saroor had this to say, “We gathered here to express solidarity with the Palestinians’ struggle and to appreciate the South African effort to take Israel to the International Court of Justice pertaining to the ongoing war and to prevent genocide. South Africa’s case will be heard on the 11th and 12th of this month (January) and for many of us who have been fighting for International Justice for war crimes committed here, this is a huge breakthrough. Even though Israel may not agree to a ceasefire or change in its military tactics, the very fact that Israel has to defend itself at the ICJ - a United Nations sponsored body - makes it harder for it to brush aside an adverse finding of the ICJ ,” said Saroor.
Human Rights Activist, Ruki Fernando told the Daily Mirror that as Sri Lankans they also hope that South Africa will support international justice initiatives, seeking justice for injustices that have impacted Sri Lankans, particularly during and after the war.  

Relatives carry the bodies of children killed in Israeli strikes on the Palestinian city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip