Report: South African ports to reject Israeli ships

Congress of South African Trade Unions vows to close ports to ships carrying goods to, from 'apartheid Israel,' local daily reports. Jewish Board of Deputies says decision election stunt
Ynetnews


The Congress of South African Trade Unions has vowed to close ports to cargo ships from "apartheid Israel," the South African Daily News reported on Wednesday.



The Congress has already announced it would refuse to offload a vessel scheduled to dock in Durban on Sunday.



According to the report, this will be the second time COSATU's affiliate, the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU,) refuses to unload goods from or destined to "dictatorial and oppressive rogue states," which include Israel, Zimbabwe and Swaziland.



A statement issued by COSATU said "This follows the decision by COSATU to strengthen the campaign in South Africa for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against apartheid Israel."



A series of protests were also scheduled to take place in major South African cities starting Thursday, and several parliament members and senior union leaders are expected to attend.



The statement, issued by COSATU, the Palestine Solidarity Committee and the Young Communist League recalled the successful boycotts imposed against South Africa during the apartheid era.



"We call on other workers and unions to follow suit and to do all that is necessary to ensure that they boycott all goods to and from Israel until Palestine is free.



"We also welcome statements by various South African Jews of conscience who have dissociated themselves from the genocide in Gaza," the statement said.