More than 100 protesters gathered outside the United States Consulate in Cape Town on Friday morning, denouncing the US role in the war involving Iran and broader conflicts across the Middle East. The demonstration took place on 10 April 2026 and was led by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), with activists, civil society groups, trade unions and political parties joining in.

Protest Outside US Consulate Draws Broad Support

The crowd included members of South African Jews for a Free Palestine and Healthcare Workers 4 Palestine-South Africa. Political parties including the ANC, EFF, MK, Al Jama-ah and GOOD were also present. Search snippets from footage of the protest show that trade unions and other activist organisations joined the action, while veteran anti-apartheid activist Ronnie Kasrils also attended.

Placards reading “Boycott Apartheid Israel” were visible at the protest. Demonstrators also chanted slogans accusing the US of backing violence in the region. Protesters waved Palestinian, Iranian, Venezuelan, Cuban and Lebanese flags, underscoring the wider anti-imperialist message pushed by organisers.

Organisers Condemn War and Foreign Intervention

At the centre of the protest was anger over what PSC described as an “illegal, unprovoked” war on Iran. In a statement released before the picket, the organisation said the military campaign had caused civilian deaths, destruction and instability, while undermining Iranian sovereignty. It also linked the conflict to wider struggles over energy, trade routes and finance.

Speakers at the protest also condemned American involvement in issues relating to Palestine, Israel, Iran, Cuba and Sudan, according to indexed descriptions of the supplied video source. That broader framing turned the gathering into more than a single-issue protest. It became a wider call against US foreign policy and what organisers called imperialism.

Calls for Ceasefire, Sanctions and Embargo

Among the demands raised on the day were a ceasefire, sanctions, boycotts and a full arms embargo on Israel. One speaker said protesters could not stay silent while innocent people were dying daily. Another call from the gathering was for South Africa to close the Israeli embassy.

The Cape Town protest reflects growing local mobilisation around global conflict, with organisers using the city’s US Consulate as a focal point for pressure and public anger.