The energy embargo protest will take place on Thursday, 21 August 2025, at 8 Riebeeck Street, Cape Town, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The event aims to gather supporters to call on the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition to halt trade with Israel, given the ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip.
Speaking to VOC News, Coordinator for the Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) Faseegah Davids, said the event will call for pro-Palestine activists across the country, along with other civil society groups, calling for an energy embargo.
“You have one instance where South Africa is representing this case of morality to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for Israel to end the genocide, but South Africa continues to send coal to Israel, which empowers the Israeli grid that is being used for militancy,” explained Davids.
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Furthermore, the South African Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Coalition stated that the South African government must abide by its international legal obligations to cut trade and implement a coal embargo against genocidal Israel.
“In the first half of this year, South Africa has been the largest exporter of coal, which goes directly into the Israeli electricity grid. Since mid-March, Israel has cut electricity provision to Gaza along with a total blockade on all humanitarian assistance, food, water, and medical supplies,” remarked the South African BDS Coalition.
Photo: Supplied
