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Mothers4Gaza protests at Rondebosch Boys’ High over comedian’s Gaza stance

CAPE TOWN — Date not specified

Activist group Mothers4Gaza staged a silent protest outside Rondebosch Boys’ High School during comedian Nik Rabinowitz’s performance, demanding he publicly state his position on Israel’s actions in Gaza.

The group stated on Instagram that the protest aimed to hold Rabinowitz accountable for past performances in Israel and what they called his failure to condemn violence against Palestinians (Mothers4Gaza statement). They claimed his silence signals consent to alleged “mass killings, starvation, and displacement” in Gaza (Mothers4Gaza statement).

Protesters displayed banners reading: “Silence is not neutral.” Mothers4Gaza criticised artists profiting from South African stages while ignoring, in their words, “the cries of children buried under rubble” (Mothers4Gaza statement).

Organisers described the demonstration as quiet and respectful, intended to spark dialogue rather than disrupt the event. They urged artists to use platforms responsibly during humanitarian crises (protest organisers).

Some parents of Rondebosch students had objected to the show on humanitarian grounds. One parent stated: “This Gaza issue is not political, it’s humanitarian. It’s genocide. That’s why there’s a call for education sessions with the children, so they understand what is happening in the world.”

The performance continued as scheduled with support from school management and the Western Cape Education Department (school/WCED confirmation).

Rabinowitz denied supporting authoritarianism or Jewish supremacy, calling Gaza’s situation a “horrifying human tragedy.” He expressed a desire for peace and safety for Israelis and Palestinians but didn’t directly address protest demands (Rabinowitz response).