As the second day of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine’s South Africa session was underway in Cape Town on Sunday, the tribunal’s website was taken offline by a sophisticated cyber attack. The internet consultant who founded the Russell Tribunal website says the attack was “no amateur attempt”. UPDATE, 9 November: The site is finally back up as of this morning. It took 1&1 four days to restore service. Read more about Professionals said to be behind hack attack on Russell Tribunal website
The Palestinian Students’ Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel and Palestinian Youth Against Israeli Apartheid have issued a call to their counterparts in South Africa to boycott a forthcoming tour of several South African university campuses by dozens of Israeli students designed to burnish Israel’s image. The Palestinian students write: Read more about Palestinian students ask South African counterparts: Boycott Israeli tour on your campuses
Archibishop Desmond Tutu, South African human rights leader and advocate of the global boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, officially endorsed the new song “Freedom for Palestine” as the track continues to gain global popularity. Read more about Archbishop Desmond Tutu endorses "Freedom for Palestine" song
Victor Kattan argues that UN membership for a State of Palestine would be a strategic asset to the Palestinian struggle for self-determination, although there are risks involved. Read more about The case for UN recognition of Palestine
A prominent South African scholar was detained today on arrival Ben-Gurion airport after flying into Israel, held incommunicado without access to South African diplomats and his whereabouts are currently unknown. A press release from the Afro-Middle East Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, of which Na’eem Jeenah is director states: Read more about Prominent South African scholar detained incommunicado by Israel
