Joburg’s Makhubele warns against ‘divisive activities’ amid raging Israel, Hamas conflict
Council Speaker in the City of Johannesburg Colleen Makhubele says the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas must not be allowed to sow divisions among residents.
Her comments came as Israel pounded the Hamas-ruled Gaza, home to 2.3 million people, following Hamas's attack on Israel on Saturday that killed more than 1,200 people.
In Gaza, officials have reported more than 1,200 people killed in Israeli retaliatory strikes.
It also comes on the back of a pro-Palestinian protest at the US Consulate in Sandton on Wednesday.
“The City of Johannesburg, since its establishment, has been home to different communities, nationalities and religious groups,” Makhubele said.
“It is this diverse mix of people that gives us our cosmopolitan feel. However, because the city is so heterogeneous, it is easy for various local or international events to trigger xenophobia, racism, religious intolerance and social disorder.
"In the interests of social cohesion and stability in the city, we would not want any divisive, inflammatory and polarising activities in the City of Joburg.”
Earlier, President Cyril Ramaphosa called for the establishment of humanitarian corridors to assist the many civilians caught up in the war.
"We remain gravely concerned at the devastating escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the atrocities committed against civilian populations. We call for the immediate cessation of violence and the exercise of restraint. It is vital that all those who require urgent humanitarian assistance are provided with the basic life-supporting necessities and that human suffering is ameliorated."
Ramaphosa said international efforts to achieve lasting peace must be accelerated – and should include a viable Palestinian State that exists alongside Israel.
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