Hamas March to Parliament in South Africa

The so-called “March for Palestine” to the South African Parliament on October 5, 2024, wasn’t what it appeared to be at first glance. Far from being a solemn protest against injustice or an earnest plea for peace, this march was a grotesque display of moral depravity and hatred, masquerading as human rights activism. Beneath the thin veneer of slogans like “End Genocide” and “Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS),” the event revealed itself to be an open celebration of terror.

Poster Advertising the march by the “Palestinian Solidarity Campaign” of South Africa

Let’s not mince words: this was not a march for peace—it was a rally in support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations, their banners, flags, t-shirts and slogans were everywhere to be seen. It was a public display of allegiance to groups that revel in the murder of civilians and see violence against Jewish people as not just justified, but necessary.

An image posted by the anti-Israel media company Salaamedia on their X.com account. Pictured in the banner:Abdul-Malik al-Houthi (from Yemen, leader of the Houthi movement),
Abu Obeida (the spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing),
Ziyad al-Nakhalah (Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad),
Imad Mughniyeh (Hezbollah’s former military commander, known for planning attacks),
Qasem Soleimani (the late commander of Iran’s Quds Force),
Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (the Iraqi commander of Kata’ib Hezbollah, who was killed alongside Soleimani).
Ismail Haniyeh (the previous political leader of Hamas),
Yahya Sinwar (the Hamas Political leader in Gaza), and
Hassan Nasrallah (the late Secretary-General of Hezbollah).

From Salaamedia X.com

Take a moment to observe the imagery proudly paraded during this event. The photo at the heart of this grotesque spectacle shows smiling women holding up a sign reading “Death to Israel, Death to Zionism,” complete with bloodied handprints. This photo captures exactly what was proudly paraded at the so-called “March for Palestine” to Parliament, a march laughably framed as one to “end genocide.” Instead of a solemn stand against supposed atrocities, what do we see? Smiling women holding up a placard that screams “Death to Israel, Death to Zionism,” complete with the sickeningly symbolic bloodied handprints, a nod to the barbaric lynching of Israeli’s by Abdel-Aziz Salha. And behind them? A massive banner showcasing the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” featuring the familiar faces of those who lead Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah, groups that have repeatedly orchestrated terrorist attacks against civilians. Slogans like “Viva Hamas” and “Viva Hezbollah” are not expressions of solidarity with the oppressed; they are the rallying cries of those who endorse the mass murder of Jews. All this under the grotesque pretence of protesting “genocide.” It was not a march for peace or justice, it’s a hate-filled celebration of terror and violence, dressed up in the morally bankrupt language of activism. The hypocrisy would be laughable if it weren’t so disgustingly dangerous.

Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, has long been celebrated for his humanitarian work. Yet, when given a public platform at this event, Sooliman did not use his voice to call for peace. Instead, he chose to repeat conspiracy-laden, antisemitic rhetoric. He railed against Jews, accusing them of controlling the world with money and fear—a well-worn trope from the darkest chapters of history. Sooliman’s past affiliations also speak volumes. As a candidate for the African Muslim Party (AMP), he campaigned on a platform that vocally opposed LGBTQ+ rights, making it clear that his ideological rigidity extends beyond politics and into the domain of personal freedoms.

Salaamedia x.com account

Dr Imtiaaz Sooliman Head of Gift of The Givers. Gift of the Givers runs the Khuzaa Hospital in Khan Yunis Gaza, a few Kms from Kibutz Nir Oz and has offices in the West Bank. There is footage of his staff working in Gaza alongside Hamas.

And then there’s Sheik Riaad Fatar, a member of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), whose rhetoric further inflamed the crowd. “We are all Hamas,” he declared proudly, in a clear endorsement of an organization that has committed countless atrocities, from suicide bombings to the massacre of civilians. This was not an ambiguous statement, it was a direct alignment with terror. And it was met with applause. It is not the first time Fatar has claimed that he is Hamas.

https://x.com/salaamedia/status/1842540777647263835

Even more troubling was the participation of PAGAD (People Against Gangsterism and Drugs), a group with a history of violence and terrorism in South Africa. During the 1990s, PAGAD bombed synagogues like the Wynberg Shul in South Africa and carried out numerous attacks targeting the Jewish community. Their presence at the march underscores the dangerous nature of the event.

The involvement of mainstream organizations like COSATU and Gift of the Givers only lends legitimacy to this madness. By standing alongside those who glorify Hamas and Hezbollah, these organizations embolden extremists and give a veneer of credibility to what is, at its core, a hate-fueled celebration of terror.

Al Quds Foundation, another participant in the march, has long been accused of being a front for terror financing. Reports suggest that the South African branch of Al Quds has funnelled funds to Hamas under the guise of Palestinian advocacy, raising concerns about the transparency of its operations.

But perhaps the most appalling spectacle is the picket demonstration outside the Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre set for October 7, 2024. The sheer audacity of protesting at a Holocaust memorial, a place dedicated to the memory of six million Jews and countless others who perished during World War II, is beyond comprehension. These protestors have the gall to stage their event in front of such a sacred site, all while promoting the false narrative that Israel is committing genocide. The irony could not be more bitter, nor could the insult be more grotesque.

Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a peaceful demonstration. This was an organized rally celebrating the very groups responsible for mass murder. It was a parade of hatred, with participants waving the flags of Hamas, Hezbollah, and even Iran, as if these were symbols of peace. They’re not. These are the flags of terror, and waving them in public is nothing less than an endorsement of violence.

As we stand on the anniversary of the October 7th massacre in Israel, where over 1,200 Israelis were slaughtered and more than 200 hostages—including infants and the elderly—were abducted by Hamas, it is appalling to see these marches taking place in South Africa. Instead of condemning these atrocities, South African organizations are marching in celebration of them.

This was not just a protest. It was a dangerous endorsement of terror, hatred, and violence. The South African public, and indeed the world, must wake up to this reality. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to what is happening under the banner of “peace” and “justice.” Because what we saw in South Africa on October 5, 2024, was neither. It was a sickening display of moral bankruptcy, and it should be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

To paraphrase a common truth: “All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” In this case, it’s time for those who believe in peace to stand up and call out this masquerade for what it truly is, an ugly, dangerous show of hatred.