Association calls for cultural boycott against Israel

South Africa's Documentary Filmmakers Association (DFA) has called on local and international media, film and cultural institutions to cut ties with Israel. The Mail & Guardian reports that journalists and documentary filmmakers have been crucial in bringing global awareness of the genocide against Palestinians. Despite the immense risks, they continue documenting the events, providing insight into the suffering and resilience on the ground. ‘We demand urgent international intervention to protect journalists and filmmakers, address the humanitarian crisis and bring an end to impunity for these grave violations,’ the DFA said in a statement. It also urged SA and international film and cultural institutions to take a stand against the human rights violations affecting journalists and civilians alike.

Separately, Crispin Sonn, chairperson of the council of Cape Town’s prestigious Bishops Diocesan College, has resigned from his position with immediate effect. His resignation was announced by the school last week. Sonn’s resignation comes a month after he was forced to issue an apology for writing a pro-Palestine post on his Facebook page. IoL reports that the post which has since been deleted, sparked an outcry. ‘We want to convey that the posting of the views on social media was a deeply inappropriate act which was unacceptable to many members of the Bishops community and contrary to the values which we believe to be fundamental to Bishops,’ said Members of the Old Diocesan Union after the post. In his apology, Sonn said he realised that the message he had intended to share, had been misunderstood by some people hence he immediately withdrew and deleted the post.