The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) fully supports its affiliate NEHAWU in calling on the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to terminate any relationship with the Israel’s Ben Gurion University (BGU).

NEHAWU, the biggest public sector union in South Africa, said, “The union, mindful of our own country`s history and the role that international solidarity played in ending South Africa`s apartheid regime, is convinced that all of us in this country have a particular responsibility to take seriously the struggles of others who face similar conditions of racial oppression and economic exploitation that we have known”.

COSATU supports the call from students, academics and numerous prominent individuals, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, for UJ to terminate its apartheid-era relationship with Israel`s BGU, a university that actively collaborates with the Israeli Defence Force in its enforcement of apartheid occupation against Palestinians, by offering special privileges and services to the army.

It has consistently refused to oppose the Israeli government`s attempts to silence academics that support sanctions against Israel and so it is a much compromised institution whose reputation and credibility are in tatters.

We note that BGU has not shown any willingness to comply with the conditions that were set for the possible renewal of the relations, and, with the deadline of 1st April 2011 fast approaching, the UJ needs to act swiftly. The university had demanded that the BGU must ensure that their research projects” will not entail any activity, including teaching and research, which has any direct or indirect military implications or contributes to the abuse of human rights” It was also demanded that “one or more Palestinian universities” must be included in the existing UJ-BGU agreement if relations were to continue.

Although there is a well financed propaganda machinery that is trying to justify the abuse and victimisation of Palestinians their struggle for freedom and justice needs to be told and defended by those in our country who are grateful for the freedoms we have.

We reaffirm the inspiring and wise words of our living legend and giant, former President Nelson Mandela, when he said, “our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians”.

Finally, COSATU supports the UJ Petition (www.ujpetition.com) and adds it voice of support to the call for more people and organisations to sign in support of this noble cause.

It is a travesty of justice and tragedy of our times that Palestinian teachers and students go through checkpoints everyday on their way to school; universities are abruptly closed therefore disrupting the learning of Palestinian children. Over the top security measures like being forced to produce identity documents when you want to pass certain areas is a daily reality.