Pro-Palestine individuals join activists protesting against Denel's supply of weapons to Israel

Dozens of pro-Palestine supporters gathered on Friday outside the Rheinmetall Denel Munition factory in Macassar to support a protest organised by the Macassar Activist Forum (MAF).

The MAF organised the picket in solidarity with global calls to end the supply of weapons and ammunition to Israel amidst the war in Gaza.

The activists called on Rheinmetall Denel Munition, a subsidiary of the German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall AG, to cease complicity in what they termed "war crimes" and to align its operations with South Africa’s international human rights obligations.

The MAF's spokesperson, Desmond Stevens, confirmed that a memorandum of demands was handed over to the management of Rheinmetall Denel Munition today (Friday).

"We cannot remain silent while weapons made in our backyard contribute to the destruction of innocent lives in Gaza," Stevens stated.

Stevens added that the MAF also called on the government to suspend export permits for weapons being exported to Israel.

"If our demands are not met in seven days, further escalation of protests here will continue unabated until our demands are met," he warned.

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has indicated it will respond later today (Friday)