PRESS STATEMENT: South African government defeats Israeli lobby lawfare tactics
08 December 2021
The human rights organization #Africa4Palestine welcomes today’s decision by Judge Van Der Westhuizen in the Palace of Justice (Gauteng High Court) to dismiss the court case (number 60035/21) brought by members of the Israeli lobby against the South African government. In essence the South African government has defeated the Israeli lobby’s lawfare attempts to ban the cultural boycott of Israel.
The legal action against the Government of South Africa was launched by a pro-Israeli front organization called “Citizens of Integrity” that is led by the one of the founders of the South African Friends of Israel – Mr Mark Hyman. It was instituted following the South African government’s withdrawal of support to the Miss SA company following that company’s decision to go to Apartheid Israel and participate in this year’s controversial Miss Universe pageant. Basically, Lalela Mswane, being in Apartheid Israel, remains without South Africa’s support in the Miss Universe Apartheid Israel pageant – a bruising defeat!
We welcome that the court case by “Citizens of Integrity” and the Israeli lobby was struck off the roll as their intention was to bully our South African government into ending its support for human rights and for the Palestinian people. The days that the Israeli lobby could intimidate and try to muzzle expression and support for the oppressed people of Palestine is over.
We are proud to have been outside court protesting in support of our government’s position and furthermore we are proud that we were also inside court, through our Amicus Curiae application, backing South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture – comrade Nathi Mthethwa.
On Monday #Africa4Palestine submitted a high court application to be Amicus Curiae (friend of the court) in the matter. The application was well received and we thank our legal team led by attorney Shaa’ista Bulbulia of Govender Patel Dladla Incorporated and Advocate Mohammed Desai of the Johannesburg Bar.
Click here to find a copy of the Amicus Curiae application by Africa4Palestine to the High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division Pretoria). Africa4Palestine’s Amicus Curiae application was supported by a wide group of South African organizations, including the Women’s Cultural Group, Media Review Network (MRN), Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), Young Hearts 4 Palestine, Youth 4 Palestine, Uwais Qarni Center, YCL, NC4P, KZN PSF, Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), Association of Muslim Accountants and Lawyers (AMAL), FOCUS, Ex Political Prisoners Association of South Africa and others.
Finally we commend the the legal team from the office of South Africa’s State Attorney and specifically Advocate Thami Ncongwane (SC) and Advocate Namadzavho Rasalanavho of the Tshwane Society of Advocates.
ISSUED BY TISETSO MAGAMA ON BEHALF OF AFRICA4PALESTINE
For comment
Muhammed Desai, Director: +27 81 353 0699
Tisetso Magama, Spokesperson: +27 61 414 6348
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