South Africa applies law against Israel and Jewish state complains

Here’s hoping many other countries follow this lead: Israel… is condemning a new South African regulation requiring that products made in West Bank settlements must be labeled as coming from “occupied… Palestinian… territory.” A Foreign Ministry spokesman, Yigal Palmor, called the requirement “totally unacceptable.” He said, “What is totally unacceptable is the use of tools which, by essence,…

Understanding apartheid South Africa and why it’s relevant today with Israel

I just watched this remarkable documentary, Under African Skies, about Paul Simon and the recording of his legendary Graceland album. It tackles apartheid, Simon’s refusal to abide by the cultural boycott against South Africa and the politics around the issue. It’s highly relevant today – and Simon clearly understands little more today playing in Israel…

Another totally typical day in Israel/Palestine

One (via the Guardian): A belief that every Palestinian child is a potential terrorist may be leading to a “spiral of injustice” and breaches of international law in… Israel‘s treatment of child detainees in military custody, a delegation of eminent British lawyers has concluded in an independent report backed by the Foreign Office. The nine-strong delegation,…

One day soon Israel and its blind defenders will speak like De Klerk

Such an interview brings a sense of melancholy. F.W. de Klerk, the last leader of white South Africa, who joined with Nelson Mandela to bring an end to apartheid and shared a Nobel Peace Prize for their achievement, is interviewed on CNN at a summit of Nobel Laureates in Chicago. Here’s a man who realised…

When if ever will South African Jews not embrace victimhood?

Tragically, many Australian Jews take comfort from this same delusion, almost enjoying imagining it’s 1933. All the time. This piece from a South African newspaper highlights the dilemma and hopes for a much better future: Of all the studies conducted on the position of the Jewish establishment during apartheid, perhaps the most authoritative has been…

South Africa mulls imposing sanctions on apartheid Israel

Via The New Age newspaper: The South African government might consider supporting sanctions against Israel as it explores a variety of peaceful methods to step up support for the Palestinians’ fight for freedom and independence. “We want to step up our support of the Palestinians and are investigating a number of peaceful ways to upgrade…

Solidarity with Palestine from those in South Africa who know

Right on: COSATU, South Africa`s largest trade union confederation, wishes to send solidarity and fraternal greetings to our Palestinian comrades in struggle as they meet for the important trade union conference that will include the establishment of the Palestinian Coalition of Trade Unions for BDS. Those of us that have had the chance to visit…

Insider’s view of Libya’s unlikely revolutionaries

UK Guardian journalist Chris McGreal – whom I know and respect from his fine reporting in Palestine and South Africa – writes about the latest revolution; Libya: Few revolutions have been more inspiring. After years of reporting uprisings and conflicts driven by ideology, factional interests or warlords soaked in blood — from El Salvador to…

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