BDS South Africa Responds to Leaks on Israeli Cyber Terrorism Threats

26 February 2015

The Palestine solidarity and human rights organisation BDS South Africa shares the general shock of most South Africans who feel that both the leaking of top secret government documents and the content of some of the documents leaked is concerning.  We unequivocally condemn this leaking of SA intelligence documents.

The most recent leak confirms that the Israeli regime indeed is trying by all available means to counter the growing non-violent Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel movement. BDS South Africa believes that the recent #SpyCables leak with details of Israeli cyber terrorism show the desperation of the Israeli Government and its supporters.

To resort to cyber terrorist tactics in an attempt to manipulate the South African government and by extension, us, its people, should be deplored by all peace and justice loving people. Reports that Israeli Mossad spies were to launch a cyber attack on our financial sector due to the SA Government's support for the BDS is appalling.

BDS South Africa enjoys a working relationship with the Department of State Security, the Government of South Africa and the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC). We continue to demand for more encompassing boycotts and government sanctions against Israel, however, BDS South Africa acknowledges the role and commitment of the Government of South Africa and the ruling party to the Palestinian people and cause.

For example, we saw leaders from the SA Government participate actively in the recent BDS South Africa hosted visit to SA of Palestine liberation struggle icon, Leila Khaled. Khaled received a warm welcome to the country, for example, by Minister Malusi Gigaba. Another important is that the ruling party the ANC has openly endorsed and will be participating in the upcoming Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) campaign (www.iawsouthafrica.com). The world must know that South Africa and its people are not a proxy of the Israeli apartheid regime, but a close ally of the oppressed Palestinian people. 

The information leaked shows how desperate and aggressive the Israeli government, its Mossad Secret Service Agency and its supporters like the pro-Israeli SA Jewish Board of Deputies lobby group are acting to undermine the growing BDS movement. The people of South Africa will not be swayed by Israeli cyber or other terrorism, nor will we be silenced by Israel, the Israeli Intelligence Services, Israeli businesses or Israeli lobby.

The leaked documents also confirm that the so-called threat to Jewish people in South Africa is non-existent. While we whole-heartedly support the  Palestinian cause we remain a peaceful, non-violent campaign and organisation - the leaks vindicate this. Besides, BDS South Africa is proud to count several prominent and progressive Jews in our ranks. South Africa remains home to the Palestinian solidarity movement, the BDS campaign and to all peace and justice loving people wishing to create a more peaceful and just world.

As we enter the upcoming Israeli Apartheid Week campaign (2-8 March) we call on all South Africans to join and intensify the growing non-violent boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign seeking --and proving-- to hold Israel accountable to international law.

Statement issued by Muhammed Desai on behalf of BDS South Africa, February 26 2015

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