South Africa: Israeli Apartheid Week ongoing through March 18

Event

Israeli Apartheid Week is underway in South Africa, running from Monday, March 14, through Sunday, March 18. Protests, rallies, and other events are taking place, notably on university campuses, with demonstrations featuring anti-Semitic posters and stained Israeli flags. The demonstrations are expected to continue through Sunday. As of Friday, March 16, several verbal disputes have broken out between the pro-Israel and anti-Israel sides but no physical confrontations have been reported. Violent clashes are still possible during the last few days of the protests. Increased security measures and localized transportation disruptions are possible surrounding any events.

Context

Israeli Apartheid Week is an annual global campaign that claims the state of Israel operates on an apartheid system of racial segregation and discrimination against the Palestinian population, and calls for a global boycott of Israel. This year the theme is Afro-Palestinian solidarity, pointing to what organizers call discriminatory policies targeting Africans in Israel (particularly the proposed deportation of tens of thousands of African asylum seekers). The annual series of events draws significant controversy, with opponents criticizing it as anti-Semitic. Several violent incidents occurred during last year's events.

Advice

Individuals in South Africa are advised to avoid all protests, anticipate an increased security presence near demonstrations, and remain vigilant due to the possibility of violence.