The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) welcomes the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. SAFTU condemns these architects of ethnic cleansing and relentless oppression of the Palestinians. Their actions have brought pain and untold suffering, underscoring Israel’s colonial and apartheid-like policies. SAFTU continues to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and supports efforts to hold these genocidal maniacs accountable for their war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The Palestinian people deserve freedom, the return of their land, and the right to live without walls of oppression dictating their lives. They deserve a future where their children thrive in safety and joy, supported by functional infrastructure, including reliable water systems and unimpeded freedom of movement. Benjamin Netanyahu must be held accountable for the atrocious crimes committed against Palestinians, ensuring justice for decades of suffering and dispossession.
Netanyahu is not merely a warmonger; he is also a blatant bully. A clear example of this was seen in May 2024, when the Israeli government banned the media outlet Al Jazeera, known for its in-depth reporting on the daily struggles faced by Palestinians. This move appeared calculated to silence coverage of atrocities, potentially paving the way for further mass killings without the scrutiny of international media.
Al Jazeera had exposed mass graves and other human rights violations that Israel sought to conceal. By banning the network, the Israeli government effectively cut off a vital source of awareness, attempting to suppress global knowledge of the genocide. This censorship reflects a broader strategy to rewrite history with propaganda and present Israel as the victim, all while committing heinous acts against the Palestinian people. Awareness is crucial, and the silencing of media outlets underscores the regime’s desperate attempts to hide its crimes against humanity.
Furthermore, SAFTU strongly condemns Netanyahu’s attempts to deflect criticism by invoking historical injustices, particularly his comparisons to Nazi persecution. Such distortions of history are cheap and cynical attempts to justify ongoing violence against Palestinians. His deliberate efforts to erase Palestinian identity and rewrite history must be met with legal consequences. This war criminal, masquerading as a head of state, presides over an apartheid regime and is committing crimes against humanity in plain view of the international community. Moreover, his actions are encouraged by powerful allies, enabling some of the most egregious atrocities of our time.
According to the United Nations, since 1948, Palestinians have faced significant hardship, including mass displacement, violence, and ongoing humanitarian crises. Key statistics highlight their suffering:
1. Displacement: During the Nakba (“catastrophe”) in 1948, around 700,000 Palestinians were expelled or fled from their homes, becoming refugees. Today, over 5.9 million Palestinians are registered as refugees, forming the world’s longest-standing refugee crisis.
2. Loss of Life: Since 2008 alone, over 6,400 Palestinians, including thousands of civilians and children, have died in conflicts with Israel. For comparison, during the First Intifada (1987-1993), around 1,300 Palestinians and 200 Israelis were killed.
3. Economic and Social Impact: The blockade on Gaza, in place since 2007, has led to severe poverty. Unemployment rates in Gaza hover around 45%, one of the highest globally. Infrastructure, especially for water and electricity, remains inadequate, affecting daily life.
4. Settlements and Land Loss: Israeli settlements have expanded significantly, with approximately 700,000 settlers now living in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, eroding Palestinian land and resources.
These figures reflect decades of conflict, displacement, and economic marginalisation that continue to affect Palestinian lives and prospects.
The Federation reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and welcomes these arrest warrants as a crucial step toward holding war criminals accountable. After more than seven decades of relentless struggle, it is astonishing and deeply disheartening that the world continues to watch silently. Benjamin Netanyahu must face justice for the countless lives lost and the devastating chaos that has engulfed Palestine. This is not just a legal obligation but a moral imperative to ensure freedom and dignity for Palestinians in our lifetime.
