Address to Parliamentary Symposium on Palestine.

17 November 2011

Thank you Honourable members and comrades for the opportunity to address this Symposium. I am representing the COSATU led Coalition for a Free Palestine. 
The last time we met honourable members was about a month back, when I was invited to address the Portfolio Committee, on Palestine and the UN state bid. Much has happened since then; most notably the Russell Tribunal on Palestine had taken place, on our shores - which I am sure Committee members are well aware off.  The findings and recommendations of this important Tribunal must be implemented by our Government.
Honourable members the last time we met, you heard chilling accounts of the violent oppression being meted out against the innocent Palestinians, which I am sure you had reflected on. I will therefore not talk about the suffering being experienced by the Palestinians, instead I will talk peace.
Honourable Members if you want to talk peace, let’s talk peace;
As South Africans, elected leaders of Parliament and activists we must pledge our support for the following basic principles articulated by Palestinian political and civil society organisations and several long standing UN Resolutions:
1. Ending the Israeli occupation and colonisation of all Palestinian lands and dismantling the Israeli Apartheid Wall;
2. Recognising the fundamental rights of the Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality;
3. Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties;
4. An immediate end to Israel's illegal settlements, and blockade on Gaza; and
6. An end to Israel's discriminatory and racist policies.
If you want to talk peace, talk these six Non-negotiable’ s. Together with these six Non-negotiable’ s I am expecting Honourable MP’s – elected by the people of this country, to take the issue of Palestine and firmly place it on the agenda of the National Assembly and the Pan African Parliament.
We must have a united approach and a single unified voice when it comes to Palestine. The Palestinian’s are expecting us as South Africans, to help liberate them. 
Honourable MP’s many of you sitting here, played a massive role in liberating us South Africans, from the clutches of Apartheid. Honourable comrade Cornelia  September, Comrade Sisa Njikelana (who are don’t see here today but he was part of the last meeting) and certainly yourself Comrade Chairperson. I am pleading with you personally, you have helped liberate us, now I am expecting from you to help liberate the Palestinians.
Thank you.
Tahir Sema.
Convenor of the COSATU led Coalition for a Free Palestine 
And National Spokesperson of South African Municipal Workers' Union of COSATU.