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CAPE TIMES
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. Picture: Enrico Jacobs
Israel’s embassy in South Africa hit back at Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu on Wednesday, saying his call for Cape Town Opera not to perform in Israel would “do nothing but increase the intense hatred between” Israelis and Palestinians.
Cape Town Opera’s managing director, Michael Williams, said on Wednesday that they would not call off their trip to Israel: “Cape Town Opera respects the views held by retired Archbishop Tutu. We are, however, first and foremost an arts company that believes in promoting universally held human values through the medium of opera and we are accordingly reluctant to adopt the essentially political position of disengagement from cultural ties with Israel or Palestine.”
Social activist and commentator Rhoda Kadalie also entered the fray labelling Archbishop Tutu a “bigot” in the debate on whether Cape Town Opera should travel to Israel to perform the opera Porgy and Bess.
But the Palestine ambassador to South Africa, Ali Halimeh hailed Tutu’s call for Cape Town Opera to postpone its trip saying: “If a man like Desmond Tutu can’t speak against oppression, then who can?”
Halimeh said on Wednesday night that all forms of pressure should be put on Israel to stops its occupation of Palestine and calls such as Tutu’s were part of this pressure.
“When we have Palestinians who want to go out of the country to perform or go and participate in sports abroad then Israel stops them. What Desmond Tutu calls for is right because the same kind of restriction should be placed on those who want to perform in Israel. Israel must know that enough is enough,” he said.
He rejected the notion that Tutu’s call would increase hatred between Palestine and Israel.
“That is not true at all. On the contrary, it will make the world more aware of Israel’s aggression towards Palestine. Desmond Tutu’s call must be supported,” Halimeh said.
Tutu said on Tuesday that only the “thickest-skinned South Africans” would perform in Israel before an audience that would exclude Palestinian residents of the “occupied West Bank” only 30 minutes from Tel Aviv, while including people from illegal Jewish settlements on the West Bank.
Tutu added that it would be especially “unconscionable” to perform Porgy and Bess “with its universal message of non-discrimination” in the present state of Israel. He added that it would only reinforce Israel’s “fallacious claim to being a civilised democracy”.
The embassy retorted that Tutu’s call for a “cultural boycott” of Israel “is yet another phase in the biased campaign, waged by him and those who share his sentiments, that distorts and demonises Israel, while singling it out”.
“Imposing a boycott cancels out any possibility of dialogue and reconciliation; and Tutu would have achieved more had he used his position to unite warring people, rather than forcing them apart. Tutu’s words will do nothing but increase the intense hatred between the two peoples.
“Tutu’s unbased doubts regarding Israel being a civilised democracy - as well as his other false accusations - reflect either a lack of understanding of the situation, or deliberate populist incitement.
“Israel is the only country in the Middle East that secures the freedoms of media, academia, religion and various minorities, protecting inter alia the freedom of artistic expression and encouraging cultural dialogue.
“Tutu’s destructive call to avoid cultural co-operation will not only prevent such a dialogue, but rather increase hatred and hostility between Israel, its neighbours and other peoples, including South Africans.
“It is regrettable that Archbishop Tutu, while not keeping his decision to retire from public life, chooses to single out Israel and focus on what happens ‘30 minutes from Tel Aviv’ rather than However, a group of Israeli peace activists, have written to the Cape Town Opera, on behalf of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, appealing to them not to perform in Israel. The BDS movement calls on international civil society organisations and people of conscience all over the world to impose boycotts on Israel, similar to those applied to South Africa in the apartheid era.
Executive Director of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD), David Jacobson said: “The SAJBD strongly rejects the recent appeal by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu for Cape Town Opera not to visit Israel. Peace and understanding is best served through constructive and positive engagements.”
“We completely reject Archbishop Tutu’s claim that Israel is founded on “discriminatory laws and racial exclusivity”. There is in fact no other country in the Middle East that can claim to be as inclusive, non-discriminatory and multi-cultural as Israel.”
Meanwhile, Achmat Sedick, deputy president of the Muslim Judicial Council, identified with Archbishop Tutu’s sentiments.
“Archbishop Tutu’s comments are very prudent, highlighting the issues playing themselves out in Israel – inequality, discrimination, disposition, infringing on occupied territories,” Sedick said. - Cape Times
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Anonymous, wrote
The massive and marvellous difference between The Archbishop and ALL (notice I said ALL) others is that his comments and opinions are issue based. He does not feel obliged to place his allegiance with any organisation, to toe the line,not even his church. His opinions are based on his integrity and he lets his conscience be his guide. There is no hypocrisy and blind allegiance to the orrgunizashin! I salute you Archbishop Desmond Tutu, I salute your humanity, your ability to divorce yourself from any blind and bigoted committment, from any political or religious bigotry.I salute your unquestioned bravery. You are the very epitome of critical thinking. It is customary for Hindus, of which I am proudly a 'devotee', to bow down and touch the feet of your parents, your teacher, your icon, someone whose 'being' you admire as a mark of respect and devotion. I have not as yet had cause to disagree with any stance you've adopted as you've never been obliged to play the game of politics, or been to 'political school' for training on how never to answer 'yes' or 'no', how to vacillate, how to say 'challenge' instead of 'problem', how not to answer the question and sound as if you have! There is a word that is commonly used for leaders, usually of countries.... 'Your Excellency'.... usually far so from the reality, that one chuckles. In your case,sire, Emeritus, Your Excellency, are inadequate. Over the top? You go sir. You are much adored. Bet tomorrow you'll be criticising, without hesitation, the public shooting of two very young women in Somalia.What will they then call you? Bless you Arch You are much loved.
Anonymous, wrote
Shooting from the hip again. Intelligent folk don't buy this kind of rubbish statement these days. People are far better informed today than during the apartheid era and know exactly what's going on in the middle east. We can see what kind of people are queuing up to pat your back, Tutu.
Zone, wrote
When are we solving our own racism here in South Africa, more especially in workplaces? Our Scientists, (black), are being victimised everyday and boTutu go all the way to solve problems outside and leave us rotting in racism.
FreeThinker, wrote
HMMM...Tutu has NEVER sought to condemn or boycott or isolate all of the violent oppressive Muslim regimes. He seems blissfully oblivious to Palestinian terrorism against women and children. I guess "bad behavior" is only bad if Jews do it.
Anonymous, wrote
When do we classify a systematic killing of a group of people as a Holocaust? Is there a difference based on race? Who is killing who in the middle east? Do the numbers compare for us to say that two equal parties are fighting each other? What happens if the killing fields are made fair, would the two parties continue fighting?
Warrior, wrote
Well, Robbieyahu you and "citizen" have just proved what anti-Semitism is all about. Big mouths spewing forth hatred - a complete absence of sensible argument just revolting racist rhetoric. Just like the Bish.
cul-de-sac, wrote
Tutu can't solve the bitter hatred and violence right here in SA but wants to get famous by poking his nose in the middle east. The islamic aggression is a reality throughout the world and Israel is not a cause or result of it. The muslims have issues...
Anonymous, wrote
rhoda kadalie,u called the arch a bigot!well then the same must apply to ex president mandela,mbeki,tambo,luthuli,sisulu,kathrada,govan mbeki;joe slovo etc etc..perhaps u should ask israel to give u a visa to enter palestine,and ask the latter whether they think the arch is a bigot,u have lost your soul !!!!
Anonymous, wrote
rhoda kadalie,u called the arch a bigot!well then the same must apply to ex president mandela,mbeki,tambo,luthuli,sisulu,kathrada,govan mbeki;joe slovo etc etc..perhaps u should ask israel to give u a visa to enter palestine,and ask the latter whether they think the arch is a bigot,u have lost your soul,thats alli can say !!!
robbieyahu, wrote
sadly ..the bishop is right... the israelites are the quickest people in the world to use the racist or anti-semetic card ...and their trackrecord is rotten!! it has nothing to do with the bible!! ....they treat the palistinians like dogs ... NO LOVE FOR THEIR NEIGHBOUR and as a matter of fact ...they treat everybody else like that ..."they are "gods chosen people" RUBBISH !! the palistinians are also gods people so is this bishop ... start loving your neighbour ...EVERY-ONE ...from today ...and then we can fix this rotten war-torn world!! GOOD SHOW BISHOP TUTU!!
Rohan, wrote
Once again Tutu can see where great immense injustice is done against a nation.The Jews are a shame to the human race at the moment in what they are doing against Palestine.No wonder that there are so many Jewish people themselves that find the treatment of Palestine by Israel so appalling and sad.
Ludany, wrote
Tutu, Go Preach to Mugabe... God must love stupid people. He made SO many.
lwandle, wrote
Israel this,Israel that, whoever told them that they were the most important nation to God, whoever told them that we will all adhire to their fake religion.
Citizen, wrote
Its been proven that everything that comes out of Israeli mouths are lies and should be treated as such. The world has awaken to this 'victim's' atrocities. Israel should be careful as karma is a b*tch and what goes around eventually comes around.
lwandle, wrote
Israel this,Israel that, whoever told them that they were the most important nation to God, whoever told them that we will all adhire to their fake religion.
Citizen, wrote
Its been proven that everything that comes out of Israeli mouths are lies and should be treated as such. The world has awaken to this 'victim's' atrocities. Israel should be careful as karma is a b*tch and what goes around eventually comes around.
anon , wrote
desmond you flaunting your ingnrance on the bible ,please go read it again .
nicky, wrote
??
Anonymous, wrote
why doesn't he accuse his fellow clergie men of child rape and molesting, catholic devils
Anonymous, wrote
I believe Israel is the only democracy in the whole Middle East? That should tell you a thing or two about political rights over in that region, Bishop Tutu... how 'bout the other Middle East countries?
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