Johannesburg - The ANC said on Tuesday that its International Solidarity Conference resolved to support an international boycott against Israel.
African National Congress chairwoman Baleka Mbete told reporters the conference had pledged solidarity with the people of Palestine, North and South Sudan, Western Sahara, and Cuba.
“As the international relations sub-committee of the ANC... 1/8we are aware 3/8 that there are also other countries and struggles that we can give solidarity to,” she said.
The conference's draft declaration states that it: “Condemned the continued occupation of Palestine territories by the Israeli government and 1/8reiterated 3/8 the call for a free Palestine along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem.
“The conference agreed to support any means to force Israel to free the people of Palestine, which includes the imposition of economic sanctions against Israel.”
It said it supported a campaign by Boycott, Disinvestment and Sanctions SA (BDS) to boycott Israel.
BDS said on Sunday it welcomed the conference's position. It said there had been widespread support for the position from international delegates, with the exception of a delegate from Germany, who argued that Israel could not be compared to apartheid South Africa.
“The ANC chairperson, Baleka Mbete, strongly responded, saying that she has been to Palestine herself and that the Israeli regime is not only comparable but 'far worse than apartheid South Africa',” BDS said.
The third International Solidarity Conference was held in Tshwane from October 25 to 28. It also resolved to support the unbanning of political parties in Swaziland. - Sapa