clock menu more-arrow no yes

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in Johannesburg’s Mary Fitzgerald Square on Wednesday to show sympathy with the Palestinian people.

The protest in the city center was led by the South African Federation of Trade Unions.

It comes while a truce between Hamas and Israel is holding and numerous captives are being released.

Since a ceasefire was declared on Friday and extended to Thursday, Israel and Hamas have exchanged dozens of captives and inmates.

On October 7, Hamas killed over 1,200 people in Israel, with approximately 240 taken hostage.

According to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry, more than 14,500 people have been murdered in Israel’s retaliation bombardment since then.

Several posters were proudly displayed, with some characterizing Israeli air attacks on Gaza as genocide and apartheid.

young people were heard yelling ‘Down with Benjamin Netanyahu,’ expressing his displeasure with Israel’s Prime Minister.

Pro-Palestine activist Lourdes Morgado stated why he was taking part in the rally.

“For today, and I have been doing it for many years, what’s happening right now is absolute genocide. Just open murder, that’s what Israel is doing to Palestine people.”

Pro-Palestinian supporters pleaded with political parties in attendance not to make Wednesday’s demonstrations about them.