Pretoria - Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has accused Israel of behaving “as if there is no tomorrow” by perpetuating conditions to keep the conflict with Palestine alive.
In an article published in liberal Israeli newspaper Haaretz on Friday, Tutu wrote that “decent human beings everywhere – including many in Israel – are profoundly disturbed by the daily violations of human dignity and freedom of movement Palestinians are subjected to at checkpoints and roadblocks”.
The article was behind a paywall on Friday, but according to a press release put out on behalf of Tutu, the archbishop wrote that the Israelis should support the cause of the Palestinians.
In one extract, Tutu wrote: “Violence begets violence and hatred, that only begets more violence and hatred.”
He said South Africans knew about violence and hatred: “We understand the pain of being the polecat of the world when it seems nobody understands or is even willing to listen to our perspective. It is where we come from.”
He also stressed the importance of dialogue, even with “terrorists”.
Hamas is considered a terrorist organisation by Israel, the EU, the US, Japan as well as by Egypt and Jordan.
Pretoria News Weekend