International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Minister Naledi Pandor, in her keynote address at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) on May 8, 2024, highlighted the unique responsibility of South African institutions of higher learning, given the nation’s history, to stand in solidarity with Palestine.
Delivering the University’s second annual Shireen Abu Akleh Memorial Lecture, hosted by the Faculty of Humanities under the theme “The Responsibility of the Academy in a Time of Genocide,” Minister Pandor stressed the importance of honouring the memory of Shireen Abu Akleh, a revered Palestinian journalist killed during the ongoing Palestine-Israeli conflict.
“This week, the world marks two years since the assassination of Shireen Abu Akleh, the beloved veteran journalist who dedicated her life to the pursuit of justice and truth. To date, no one has been held accountable for her death, despite the initial global outrage. There has been no reported progress in the investigation at the International Criminal Court and silence with regards to any other investigations,” Minister Pandor said.
She envisioned Shireen’s tireless dedication to reporting on the atrocities in Gaza, stressing the need for global solidarity with the Palestinian people.
“It is vital, I believe, that academics and academic institutions devote more time to the decline in Freedom of Expression, and to the growing threat to it. The decline began well before the advent of embedded journalists. But it has lately snowballed, and we need to be very worried about this development,” she said.
Minister Pandor referred to the alarming report by the United Nations, which highlighted the systematic destruction of the Palestinian education system-‘scholasticide’ . She lamented the devastating toll of Israel’s military assault, citing the staggering numbers of casualties among students, teachers, and academics, and the extensive damage to educational facilities, leaving thousands of higher education students in Gaza without access to education.
Accompanying Dr Pandor were Mr Ronnie Kasrils former Minister of Intelligence in South Africa, members of the legal team that represented South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Abu Akleh family that joined in on the proceedings virtually.
In 2023, UJ voiced concern regarding the conflict between Palestine and Israel, highlighting its support for the upholding, preservation, and protection of human rights. The University advocated for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of armed conflict. Stressing the importance of peaceful dialogue grounded in trust and respect, the University Management reaffirmed its dedication to academic freedom, critical inquiry, and intellectual dissent.
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