Cosatu and PSC call for boycott of US companies

On Friday, over 100 people, in solidarity with the people of Palestine protested outside the US Consulate office in Cape Town, and called for the boycott of South African retail companies that do business with the USA. Demonstrations were also held at the US consulate in Sandton, Johannesburg, and at the embassy in Pretoria.  

A joint memorandum of demands, from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) was read out. It cites the United States government’s history of violent international imperial domination: “[The US] has participated and interfered, both overtly and covertly, in the replacement of many foreign governments. Throughout this history, until today it has instigated, supported and participated in regime change against the democratic will of millions of people at huge cost to their lives, livelihoods and mass destruction of vital infrastructure.

“Since 8 October 2023, Israel has accelerated its genocide of the Palestinian people with over 50,000 killed in Gaza, 70% of whom are woman and children. Medical personnel, journalists and academics have been deliberately targeted for assassination.”  

The demands listed are for the US to ensure a full and unconditional ceasefire and to stop the genocide of the Palestinian people, in Gaza and all occupied territories. They call for the US to stop the supply of weapons and military support to Israel, and to actively support and implement international law and all UN resolutions to end Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine and racist Apartheid system.

“Immediately ensure full and comprehensive humanitarian support – food, shelter, healthcare and the provision of electricity, water and basic services. Comply with the ICC issuance of arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yaov Gallant,” they demand in their memo. 

Professor Usuf Chikte from the PSC told the protesters to not submit or surrender their solidarity with the people of Palestine. “We will continue until we are all free, from the river to the sea. We will continue to fight against imperialism,” he said. 

Shaykh Ebrahim Gabriels from the Al Quds Foundation, said it is sad that other countries are silent about the genocide happening in Gaza and criticised US president Joe Biden for participating in it. “Biden is not going to live forever, at some point he is going to die. Today, we pray to God the Almighty, that he must not take Biden away already, we want him to see all the children that were buried in Gaza. He must suffer. We in South Africa, will continue to stand up for Palestine. Most other countries are silent and the reason is because of these Americans,” said Gabriels. 

Addressing the protesters, Cosatu’s general secretary, Solly Phetoe, said the campaign against the genocide in Gaza must be globalised. “We will not win if we do not intensify our struggle. These people will not listen. As Cosatu we are mobilising other trade unions globally. To the US, we are saying they must stop funding and supporting genocide. Our call is that Palestine must be free. Let us boycott all companies that associate with the US, like Woolworths in our context,” said Phetoe. 

University of the Western Cape student, Hajar Ahjum-Mathee urged the protesters to support any form of resistance against the genocide happening in Gaza. “Dispose and divest, we will not stop. Resistance is justified, when people are occupied. As people are shopping for black Friday, and for December, let us stay away from all companies attached to America. Let us not use our hard-earned money to support people, who are enabling genocide. We need to be stronger, and make our voices heard,” she said.