The South African Students’ Congress has condemned the Israeli government for not allowing Sasco treasurer Nandipha Zonela to enter the country last week.
Zonela was part of the International Union of Students’ delegation that travelled to Israel to ”get more understanding of the political situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories”.
The group was to meet the General Union of the Palestine Students, Sasco general secretary Ngoato Phadime said on Friday.
”The South African Students’ Congress is strongly condemning the Israeli government for its racist action against Nandipa Zonela,” Phadime said in a statement.
”We demand an apology from the Israeli government to Nandipha Zonela, Sasco and the International Union of Students.
”We will engage in protest action against racial practices of the Israeli government,” Phadime said.
He said Zonela was detained at the Ben Gurion Airport for four days, and refused entry into Israel without any explanation.
However, US treasurer Elizabeth Carlyle, a Canadian citizen and head of the delegation, was allowed entry into Israel after 30 minutes of questioning by airport security officials.
No comment could be obtained from the Israeli embassy in Pretoria. ‒ Sapa