Being opposed to Israeli occupation of Palestine is not anti - Jewish
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation notes with concern the views expressed in the article, ‘Call for Jews to Flee SA for Israel' (Cape Times, November 6, 2013). This call was made by the former Israeli Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Avigdor Lieberman (see here).
His statements come after comments from the South African Deparment of International Relations and Cooperation's Minister, at a Cosatu conference, that South African Ministers do not visit Israel currently. The Minister also expressed concern about the ongoing occupation in the West Bank and the consequences thereof for negotiations between Israel and Palestine.
The statements of Minister Maite Nkoane-Mashabane, echo the sentiments of many South Africans, leaders and citizens alike, and cannot be misconstrued as being anti-Jewish. Mr Lieberman clearly has no idea of the non-racial character of the South African liberation struggle and the fact that there have been no "pogroms" against any group because of their views in post apartheid South Africa. Freedom of speech is a constitutional value that is cherished and protected here, as is the commitment against racism, hate-speech and ethnic hatred.
In his address at the launch of the campaign for the "Freedom of Marwan Barghouthi and All Palestinian Political Prisoners", Ahmed Kathrada said, "While we disagree with the policies and practices of Israel, we have never been and will never be anti- Jewish."
As the various Palestinian solidarity campaigns gather momentum in South Africa and across the globe, it would do Mr Lieberman, and those who share his views, good, to focus on the issues that have given rise to the necessity for the campaigns in the first place. This reflection would allow Mr Lieberman and others, the opportunity, to take up the call to end injustice, which is the responsibility of all good leaders.
As South Africa's history has demonstrated, retreating into ethnic laagers does not make the issues go away. At some point, they will have to be dealt with. It is our wish that the substantive issues of the conflict in that part of the world should be dealt with sooner rather than later. Until then, we will continue to voice our disapproval of the Israeli occupation of Palestine and will also continue to call for the freedom of the political prisoners.
Statement issued by Neeshan Balton, Director, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, November 8 2013
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
