The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) unequivocally denounces the Emirati and Bahraini normalisation agreements with Israel. The deals – brokered by the United States, were signed yesterday 15th September 2020 at the White House, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Bahraini and Emirati officials.

 We reject this “normalisation” as it is at the expense of the rights and sacrifices of the Palestinian people. The UEA is fully normalising relations with Israel in exchange for Israel merely putting off announcing West Bank annexation, but that annexation (with all the oppression and violence it entails against Palestinians) is already a reality on the ground.

 The reality is the current situation in Palestine and Israel is far from normal. Israel is built on the theft and settler colonisation of Palestinian lands, and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Israel continues to practice a system of apartheid on Palestinians. Till today, the Palestinian refugees that were expelled from their homes and lands in 1948 because of Israel’s creation, are denied their right to return. Palestinian’s lives are far from normal. This normalisation deal is also a free service to the United States and Israel, taking place at the expense of Arab aspirations for freedom.

 COSATU reiterates its rejection of Israel’s military and political aggression against the people of Palestine. We reaffirm our solidarity with the people of Palestine and call for an end to the evictions of Palestinians. The federation further calls for a boycott of the UAE, and any companies in the UAE that partake in normalisation activities. Whoever joins an alliance with Israel can never be with the Palestinian people and their fight for justice.

#FreePalestine #BoycottUAE

Sonia Mabunda-Kaziboni

International Secretary

Cell:072 535 1577

Cosatu Head Office

Email:sonia@cosatu.org.za