South Africa: Protest planned in Durban June 2

Event

Civil society organizations are planning to hold a Palestine solidarity march and rally in Durban on Saturday, June 2. Participants will gather at the intersection of Alpine Road and Lotus Road at 13:00 (local time) before marching to the Overport Secondary School. Heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are anticipated along the march route.

Context

The march is being held under the name People Against Oppression. Tensions have been high in Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the wake of US President Donald Trump's December 2017 announcement that the US would officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a departure from the previous US and international position of neutrality on the status of the city claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians. The new US Embassy in Jerusalem was officially inaugurated on May 14, leading to an extreme resurgence in tensions between Israel and Palestinian groups. Some 120 Gazans have been killed and thousands of others wounded by Israeli forces in recent protests along the Israel-Gaza border.

Advice

Individuals in Durban are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.