Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09JOHANNESBURG2
2009-01-02 16:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Johannesburg
Cable title:  

PRO-PALESTINE DEMONSTRATION AT US CONSULATE JOHANNESBURG

Tags:  ASEC AMGT CASC 
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R 021615Z JAN 09
FM AMCONSUL JOHANNESBURG
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6376
INFO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMCONSUL CAPE TOWN 
AMCONSUL DURBAN 
AMCONSUL JOHANNESBURG
UNCLAS JOHANNESBURG 000002 


DEPT FOR DSCC, DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/OPO/FPD, AF/EX

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC AMGT CASC
SUBJECT: PRO-PALESTINE DEMONSTRATION AT US CONSULATE JOHANNESBURG

UNCLAS JOHANNESBURG 000002


DEPT FOR DSCC, DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/OPO/FPD, AF/EX

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC AMGT CASC
SUBJECT: PRO-PALESTINE DEMONSTRATION AT US CONSULATE JOHANNESBURG


1. (U) Summary - On January 2, 2009, the Palestine Solidarity
Committee (PSC) of South Africa mobilized approximately 1000
demonstrators outside the U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg. The
purpose of the rally was to protest against Israeli military
operations currently underway in Gaza and U.S. support for
Israel. The crowd was generally aggressive and confrontational.
Nevertheless, the event concluded without incident; no arrests
were made and one injury was reported. End Summary.


2. (U) On January 2, 2009, from 1400 to 1630, the Palestine
Solidarity Committee (PSC) of South Africa mobilized
approximately 1000 demonstrators outside the U.S. Consulate in
Johannesburg. The purpose of the rally was to protest against
Israeli military operations currently underway in Gaza and U.S.
support for Israel. As required by law, the PSC applied for and
was granted a permit to protest by the City of Johannesburg.
Although the permit estimated 50 participants, the actual number
at the peak of the demonstration was approximately 1000 as
estimated by RSO staff.


3. (U) Local police and LGF personnel provided perimeter
security but were significantly outnumbered and threatened by
protestors. Despite numerous attempts to force the crowd into a
pre-designated area across the street, the crowd soon pushed
their way into the street and up to the vehicle bollards. While
generally avoiding physical confrontation, the demonstrators
were aggressive and confrontational, chanting
anti-American/anti-Israeli/pro-Palestinian slogans and carrying
banners of a similar nature. In addition to the many
Palestinian flags and banners with such slogans as "Free
Palestine," "No Justice, No Peace" and "This Is a Holocaust"
were more extreme messages, for example, a banner reading "One
Bullet, One Zionist, Obama X, Osama [check]" with one
demonstrator actually wearing a rubber Osama bin Laden mask over
his head. Police officials, surprised by the size of the crowd,
called for additional units. Despite an RSO request to disperse
the crowd based on failure to comply with conditions, police
refused to do so citing the fear of further provocation. The
permit granted clearly stipulated all entrances/exits would not
be blocked. With the street filled with protestors, police shut
down the road and allowed the demonstration to continue as
scheduled. Several crowd members held up shoes in a sign of
protest and a number of shoes and plastic water bottles were
hurled over the perimeter wall. Several local and international
journalists were on hand to record the activity. At
approximately 1630, event organizers concluded the rally and
dispersed the crowd. No arrests were made. A photographer for
the Financial Mail claimed a demonstrator tried to punch him and
hit his camera.


4. (U) Post disseminated both a security bulletin and warden
message on December 31, 2008, reminding people to avoid such
gatherings. Consulate employees remained inside the building
until the conclusion of the event. RSO will convene an
after-action meeting with local police in an effort to improve
upon existing crowd control measures.


PASSEN