African National Congress provincial MP Max Ozinsky was on Monday night hard pressed to defend the fact that the South African government was still honouring weapons contracts with the Israeli government.

At a Cape Town meeting of the Palestinian Solidarity Group, the Democratic Alliance also came under heavy flak for not responding to an invitation to the meeting. And DA leader Tony Leon was attacked for his pro-Israeli stance and for allegedly attending a recent Zionist meeting in Israel.

Several speakers urged the government to cancel all weapons contracts with Israel. "The arms sent to Israel are being used to kill Palestinian people", said one speaker.

Mandy Sanger, of the Palestinian Solidarity Group, said the government should take steps to ensure that young South African Jews did not serve in the Israeli army.

She said that helicopter gunships being used by Israel were supplied by South Africa.

Ozinsky said that South Africa had stopped most of its arms contracts with Israel. As far as he knew South Africa was not supplying bullets to Israel, but was involved in maintenance contracts. He believed that even these should stop.

With acknowledgements to Andre Koopman and Daily News.