Fatah's Jibril Rajoub: Africa's role in Palestinian unity and peace
Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers
Palestinian leader and Secretary General of Fatah, Jibril Rajoub, has pleaded with Africa to unite to ensure the continent plays a powerful role in driving peace in conflict zones.
"Our message, especially in this critical time, is that while Africa like many around the world, is not happy with the split amongst Palestinians, we want unity and Africa must lead the way in that. Africa must be united. You have to become again one family with one plan, with one leadership. While I am with Fatah and have been for more than 20 years, I believe, as South Africa has shown the world, the only way to unite with Hamas is through dialogue, national reconciliation, national unity and free elections," Rajoub told IOL in an exclusive interview in Durban, where the Fatah delegation is visiting as part of its visit to the country for a Liberation Movement summit, as guests of the ANC.
The Fatah group is the second largest political party in the Palestinian Legislature and the largest in the multi-party Palestine Liberation Organisation, founded by the late Yasser Arafat. And, while Fatah has been in a factional battle with Hamas, Rajoub said his party remains open to unifying all groups under one Palestinian body.
Thanking South Africa for their support of Palestinians and bravery in taking Israel to the International Court of Justice, accusing it of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
"Those who brought Israel to the ICC and ICJ came from the disciples of Mandela in South. Our chemistry, that bond, with South Africa is unbreakable. And we appreciate it," added Rajoub.
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Asked if Palestinians would ever accept a suggestion by US President Donald Trump to be relocated to another country, Rajoub was visibly shaken in his response.
"The world must know that Palestinians will never leave our homeland. We are there and we will stay there. We have two choices: either martyrs or a free homeland.We will not give up and we will not surrender, and we will continue our struggle until we have our rights, right self-determination, our national aspirations, our full independent sovereign Palestinian state, free and independent," added Rajoub.
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