MJC (SA) CONDEMNS THE COOPERATION AGREEMENT BY THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA

by MJC

MJC (SA) CONDEMNS THE COOPERATION AGREEMENT BY THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA

The Muslim Judicial Council (SA) expresses serious concerns around a notice currently circulating. This notification indicates to the intended launch of a cooperation agreement between the University of the Free State and the University of Haifa in the form of a Webinar Session titled: “Developments in the Middle East”. These attempts remain incongruous with our own history of Apartheid South Africa.

As a democratic South Africa, we are well equipped and a fortiori, suited to identify a crime that has plagued us for decades, Apartheid. As a more than quarter century old democracy, we are still struggling to overcome the devastating effects Apartheid had on the social fabric of our people. These atrocities will take an even greater length of time to be overcome by its victims than what was needed to create it. Israel today, stands guilty of being in contravention of countless UN resolutions and continues their systematic confiscation and usurpation of Palestinian land as well as state sponsored incursions to places of worship owned by the Palestinian people.

History will forever be the most excellent of teachers, and history will show us that international pressure and isolation of Apartheid South Africa was indeed a major contributor to the downfall of Apartheid.
We believe that South Africa is, and continues to make meaningful contributions to the Palestinian people’s fight for freedom and liberation. Signing cooperative agreements with institutions that represent injustice and unlawful occupation is a grotesque violation of our own democracy and it is counterproductive. It sets the precedence that gives credence to Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people.

UFS, as an institution of academia, we petition you to research in a critical, unbiased and truthful mien, the reality of Israel’s crimes against humanity and their persecution of Palestinians who are resisting the occupation. The MJC (SA) deems your webinar akin to the ‘normalization’ talks between Israel and selected Arab states in the Middle East. The current rhetoric of maintaining normal relations with Apartheid Israel, will not be tolerated. Irrespective which sphere of society it may come from. Being amiable with an oppressor against oppressed masses in Palestine is irreconcilable.

As part of the Palestinian Solidarity Movement, stand upon the shoulders of giants who recognized the need for South Africans to support the Palestinian people’s right to freedom and autonomy. Madiba’s words remains the foundation of our struggle on behalf of the Palestinian people, “We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians”.

We question the rationale and what the strategic value a cooperation agreement with the University of Haifa has in our fight to end Israel’s Apartheid and their oppression of Palestinians. We believe that South Africa must use its experience in overcoming Apartheid and work towards effecting the same outcome for the Palestinian people.

An outcome of freedom, human rights and restoration of morality, as Madiba admonished us when he stated:

“Palestine is the greatest moral issue of our time”

End
MJC (SA) Media Desk
7 October 2020

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