By Thobile Jiwulane
Leila Khaled, a Palestinian activist after whom a street in Johannesburg was supposed to be named, was rushed to the hospital on Sunday suffering from an intracranial hemorrhage (stroke). The South African Communist Party (SACP) expressed concern about her hospitalization but wished the activist a quick recovery.
“At this critical moment, our thoughts and most profound solidarity are with Leila, her family, her comrades, and the people of Palestine, who continue to struggle under the yoke of Israeli apartheid and oppression. We are relieved to know that Comrade Leila is receiving excellent medical care in the presence of her closest loved ones,” SACP said.
Sandton Drive, one of the main streets in the leafy Sandton, north of Johannesburg, was proposed to be renamed Leila Khaled to pay tribute to the activist and solidarity with the Palestinian cause. But for some time, the idea appeared to have been abandoned after pressure from political parties that received support from Israel, including the African Christian Democratic Party and the South African Friends of Israel, an association of Israel supporters, including some blacks.
The DA also vehemently opposed the renaming of the street. Some believed the renaming would escalate the friction between South Africa and the US as the street is also where the US consulate is situated. But the ANC-led City of Johannesburg metro council recently rejected a DA proposal to rescind the decision to rename the street and, therefore, put the matter back on the table. The ANC struggle against apartheid oppression was intertwined with the Palestinian struggle against Israel’s oppression in the territory.
The SACP had paid tribute to Khaled’s dedication of her life to the fight for freedom, dignity, and justice – values that remain at the heart of the Palestinian liberation movement and the broader struggle against colonialism and imperialism. SACP national spokesperson and party Central Committee member Dr Alex Mashilo said: “Now, as she undergoes treatment and recovery, we call on all comrades and supporters to respect the wishes of her family regarding visits and to allow her the necessary space to regain her strength.”
He said for decades, Leila Khaled has stood as a towering figure in the Palestinian resistance, unyielding in the face of relentless Israeli aggression. “Her commitment to the struggle for national liberation and her courage in confronting imperialist forces have made her an inspiration not only to the Palestinian people but also to millions across the globe who fight for justice and self-determination. In her, we see the embodiment of resistance against oppression – a fighter who has never wavered in the face of adversity,” Mashilo said.
The SACP has always stood in unwavering solidarity with the people of Palestine, recognizing their struggle as an extension of our own battle against apartheid and exploitation. As South Africans, we remember too well the horrors of racial oppression, state violence, and land dispossession. We also recognize the invaluable international solidarity that helped us defeat the apartheid regime. It is in that same spirit that we reaffirm our commitment to the Palestinian cause and to comrades like Leila Khaled, who have given everything in the fight for justice.
“We remain hopeful that Leila Khaled will make a full and swift recovery. Her indomitable spirit, forged in decades of struggle, has carried her through many battles, and we are confident that she will emerge from this one stronger. We eagerly look forward to seeing her return to her vital work and continuing to be a guiding force in the Palestinian struggle. The SACP stands firmly with Leila Khaled, her family, and the people of Palestine. Our fight is one, and we will not rest until victory is won,” Mashilo said. – @NewsSA