World

Nelson Mandela speaks on the Gazan Crisis

by angryindian | January 7, 2009 at 04:22 pm

417 views | 15 Recommendations | 9 comments

Memo to: Thomas L. Friedman (columnist New York Times)

From: Nelson Mandela (former President South Africa)

Source: http://www.mediamonitors.net/arjan28.html

Dear Thomas,

I know that you and I long for peace in the Middle East, but before you continue to talk about necessary conditions from an Israeli perspective, you need to know what's on my mind. Where to begin? How about 1964. Let me quote my own words during my trial. They are true today as they were then:

"I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

Today the world, black and white, recognize that apartheid has no future. In South Africa it has been ended by our own decisive mass action in order to build peace and security. That mass campaign of defiance and other actions could only culminate in the establishment of democracy.

Perhaps it is strange for you to observe the situation in Palestine or more specifically, the structure of political and cultural relationships between Palestinians and Israelis, as an apartheid system. This is because you incorrectly think that the problem of Palestine began in 1967. This was demonstrated in your recent column "Bush's First Memo" in the New York Times on March 27, 2001.

You seem to be surprised to hear that there are still problems of 1948 to be solved, the most important component of which is the right to return of Palestinian refugees.

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is not just an issue of military occupation and Israel is not a country that was established "normally" and happened to occupy another country in 1967. Palestinians are not struggling for a "state" but for freedom, liberation and equality, just like we were struggling for freedom in South Africa.

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Paschen

at 23:04 on January 7th, 2009

Excellent post.

Miriam Mannak

at 23:18 on January 7th, 2009

I think this sums it up, no?

tikun

at 01:06 on January 8th, 2009

No, it sums up nothing but half truths and the attempt to de-legitimize Israel's right to exist. Guys/Women get over it. Israel is here. you can wish it a way but these Jews are going no where.To make Israel the fall guy for all the descrimination in this world then when the rockets. bombs and nuclear explosions take place with Irans help no border is going to save you.

All I have seen is the desire to BLAME. You blame Israel and call the people and government every name under the sky, bring in Jews that do not support a Jewish State in order to support your views and some of us try to present what is going on here warts and all. You call us apologists, agents of the mossad, racists, and other interesting insults.

If the idea of NP is to truly share ideas and dialogue then I say we have failed terribly. If the idea is to charge forward as in a war with guns loaded in order to discredit and make the other appear a liar, unjust and an agent from hell then NP has suceeded beyond our expectations. just another rag site.

Paschen

at 04:47 on January 8th, 2009

tikun, you do seem to have a problem with people that do not share your views?

In a democracy all are free to speak and bring their point forward, that in turn does not mean that they may be right or wrong. It does simply mean they see things from a certain angle and that angle may be more or less charred by the majority. Not even all Israeli do agree with your point of view, does that mean that either are wrong or right? It simply means that there is no consensus for now. I do believe for my part that Mandela, Gandhi, Lincoln, Brandt, Marx, Blum, and others are correct in their approach, that all Human, regardless of their Race, Religion, Origins, Social status, Sex, Job or rank are equal and have all the same rights to claim as well as the same duties follow. Justice, equality, Duty, Freedom, Respect, Solidarity and unity have to warranted for all and every one before we can even conceder individual exception.

One can only be as long as the others Rights and Equality as well as freedom is warranted as well. Remember the Maxim from Voltaire. "The Freedom of the one does start where the freedom of the other does end, and the freedom of the one does end where the Freedom of the other does start." it is a very narrow line in deed.

Heritage

at 06:42 on January 8th, 2009

Well said Paschen.

tikun

at 08:04 on January 8th, 2009

Agreed. Well said. But as someone recently said there is a limit to freedom. The abuse is inherent in the responsibility. When someone states that my country and people are X, Y or Z that is crossing the line and using free speech as a weapon for saying anything one wants including being insulting. No room for that on this forum. We all can bring our point of views in play but there is a level of abuse that I feel needs to be recognized.

Paschen

at 08:08 on January 8th, 2009

tikun, I do not disagree here with your point either, nor does Heritage. Read the Maxim from Voltaire again if you may please, it does actually say it all. Including what you are saying here.