South Africa — On Thursday, August 8, 2024, the Bo-Kaap Museum in Cape Town unveiled the "Displacement" exhibition, which focuses on colonial settlement in Palestine. This exhibition is a collaborative effort between the Yasser Arafat Foundation, the Iziko Museums, and the South African Representative Office in Palestine.

The opening ceremony was attended by Jabulani Sithole, Chairperson of Iziko Museums, Hanan Jarrar, the Palestinian Ambassador to South Africa, Mohammad Hlaika, Director of the Yasser Arafat Museum, along with exhibition and design officials Eng. Mamdouh Faroukh and Eng. Majdi Abu Amoud, and several notable figures representing organizations that support the Palestinian struggle.

Speeches at the event highlighted the deep historical connections between the peoples of South Africa and Palestine, referencing the strong friendship between leaders Nelson Mandela and Yasser Arafat. The addresses emphasized ongoing support and solidarity with the Palestinian people in their quest for freedom and independence.

The "Displacement" exhibition features a collection of photographs, documents, videos, and artworks that showcase the risks posed by the colonial settlement project to the Palestinian cause and the challenges it presents to the future of Palestinian existence. This exhibition aligns with the Yasser Arafat Foundation’s mission to enhance awareness of the Palestinian cause locally and globally.

During the event, Mohammad Hlaika, Director of the Yasser Arafat Museum, presented a keffiyeh from Yasser Arafat’s collection to the Iziko Museums as a gesture of appreciation for South Africa’s support for the Palestinian cause. This gesture was warmly received, and the keffiyeh will be preserved and displayed as a valuable item in the "Displacement" exhibition.

Organizers expressed their hope that the exhibition will enhance cultural cooperation between institutions in South Africa and Palestine, noting that this event is part of the Yasser Arafat Foundation’s efforts to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the passing of President Yasser Arafat.