CAPE TOWN (PIC)– Mohammed Nazzal the Hamas political bureau member has become the first Hamas leader to pay a public visit to South Africa where he participated Friday evening in the inauguration of an annual conference in support of the Palestinian people.
Nazzal entered the conference hall accompanied by South African minister of intelligence Ronnie Kasrils who delivered a speech full of criticism of Israel and voiced public support for Palestinian people’s rights.
For his part Nazzal affirmed that the Palestinian people’s battle was against “Zionist occupation” and not against Jews. He pointed out that not all Jews are Zionists and referred in this respect to the minister Kasrils who is Jewish but is anti-Zionist.
The Hamas leader thanked the South African government for its supportive stand of the Palestinian government and for inviting PA premier Ismail Haneyya to visit the country hoping that the visit would take place the soonest.
Nazzal delivered the Friday Khutba (sermon) in the Al-Mansour Mosque in Cape Town that was preceded by a speech in English language.
The conference organized by Friends of Al-Aqsa Organization is scheduled to wrap up its sessions on Sunday.
