Academics take a stand on Gaza
OPEN Letter from Concerned Individuals in the Rhodes University Community on the Israeli Attacks on Gaza.
During apartheid academics and students around the world took a strong stand against injustice in South Africa. Their demands for the international isolation of the South African state were an important contribution to the struggle against apartheid. The attack on Gaza by the Israeli state violates the most basic human rights of the men, women and children in the area who continue to live in fear of the destruction of their homes, injury and death.
The escalating catastrophe is not an isolated incident but part of a persistent and systemic oppression of the Palestinian people. In light of this, we take the view that solidarity with the people in Gaza needs to move from expressions of moral outrage and towards effective political action. As staff, students honorary graduates and alumni at Rhodes University we feel a moral obligation to take a clear public position against the ongoing violence of the Israeli state. We would like to add our voices to the growing demand that the South African government severs all links with Israel, including trade and investment, and expel Israel’s ambassador and recall ours. SIGNATORIES: 316 STAFF, STUDENTS, ALUMNI AND HONORARY GRADUATES A WORD in response to the conflict in Gaza. If the Palestinians put down their weapons and stopped firing rockets into Israel there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons, today, there would be no more Israel. Let peace prevail.
BRUCE WOOLARD, FRAMESBY
MS BUTLER, your article on the Middle East conflict is highly sensational. Not only is it sensationalised but it is also very biased and not very responsible. Why do you not do some research and give a balanced view on the conflict? Pro-Palestinians would have you believe that those in the Gaza strip are innocent, but when Hamas send their suicide bombers do you think they target only military. No! They go on buses, market places where there are innocent people, Israelis. If you bothered to do a little research you would know that Israel has tried to peacefully co-exist with Palestinians in the Gaza strip and on the West Bank while it is documented that Hamas want the total destruction of Israel. Pro-Palestinians use terms like “apartheid” and liken it to pre1994 South Africa, but this is all rhetoric used to garner support. Israel uses military offensive to protect its citizens which any reasonable government would do, yet because it is Israel, people are deceived into thinking that they are the “bad” guys. Do your research otherwise you are just as deceived as so many others. If you are not sure what being deceived is . . . it is believing a lie as if it were the truth.
MARK BARRY, WALMER THANDILE Kona’s article of July 26 2014 refers. Aikona! No wonder the Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa states that this president of theirs writes in his personal capacity! I have been responding to articles in the press since the days of the Rand Daily Mail. Never before have I come across an op-ed where almost every so-called fact was untrue! Normally I research the allegations and then provide substantiations for my views.
With Thandile Kona Esquire I would not even bother! Let him go to the trouble to prove his statements. They are so far-fetched that unless he does so, no educated, knowledgeable person will accept them. DON KRAUSZ, MEDIA TEAM ISRAEL, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION OF
JOHANNESBURG.