Pro-Israel demonstrators attacked in one of the world's anti-Israel countries: A crowd of nearly a hundred pro-Palestinian demonstrators attacked a small rally in support of Israel over the weekend on a promenade in Cape Town, South Africa. At least one supporter of Israel was stabbed and required medical treatment during the riot.
The local news website News24 reported that dozens of pro-Israel demonstrators, mostly members of local Protestant churches, came to express support and solidarity with Israel, when a group of nearly <> pro-Palestinian demonstrators arrived and began cursing and making noise near the rally site.
The demonstrators tore down signs and Israeli flags and even harassed one of Israel's supporters, a disabled man confined to a wheelchair. The police, who arrived in large numbers, responded by firing water cannons and even using tear gas against the pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
Father Barry Isaac, one of the organizers of the demonstration, told local media that the police were invited to the area at the initiative of the municipality and not at the initiative of the demonstrators. He himself ordered the cancellation of the rally, and pro-Israel demonstrators left in buses.
Avida Adams, a member of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, told News 24 that the counter-demonstration was not planned and that it was a spontaneous organization stemming from strong emotions. "People responded to posters and publications of the pro-Israel demonstration. I think there's a strong sentiment that we can't allow this kind of Zionism here. It has no place in Cape Town or South Africa," she said.
Pro-Palestinian rioters in Cape Town,
A few days earlier, tens of thousands had participated in a demonstration in support of the Palestinians in the city. During the demonstration, one of the speakers said, "We know where Israel's murder is coming from, it comes from the Herzliya school." The speaker was referring to a Jewish school in the city, and the local community was outraged by the anti-Semitic incitement against the school.
Cape Town's mayor, Jordyn Hill-Lewis, called on demonstrators to "maintain tolerance" and pointed out that it is the right of supporters of Israel to express their opinions legally and democratically. "Unfortunately, we have seen a violent riot against a peaceful prayer in support of Israel. This violence should be condemned by all Cape Town residents who value freedom of expression in an open democracy," the mayor said.
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