Palestinian activist welcomed in SA
THE activist son of a jailed Palestinian leader was in high demand during Israeli Apartheid Week, which was observed in South Africa.
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation hosted 28-yearold Palestinian freedom fighter Qassam Barghouthi — the eldest son of jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouthi — for a series of talks in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
The former political prisoner was arrested in December 2003 after crossing from Jordan into the occupied West Bank. He spent 39 months in prison.
Last year, he was in South Africa with his mother, Fadwa Barghouthi. With Kathrada, they launched the Free Marwan Barghouthi and All Palestinian Political Prisoners Campaign on Robben Island in October.
Marwan, the first Palestinian member of parliament to be arrested by Israel, has spent 17 years in prison.
Growing up without his father, whom he has seen only twice in the past seven years, was a “struggle” for Barghouthi. But he believed Marwan would be released soon because “history proved that the right side always wins”.
“Prison impacted both positively and negatively on my life. My tertiary studies were disrupted for four years, but at the same time I spent two months in my father’s cell. This gave me the chance to get to know him,” he said.
South Africans and Palestinians shared a similar struggle history, said Barghouthi, and the latter could learn a lot from the former in their struggle against the occupation of their territory.
“The worldwide support Palestinians receive has enhanced our will to continue the struggle against occupation.
“On many occasions, international support has protected Palestinians from the Israeli killing machines,” he said.