Letters/Discussion Forums
Edelstein must guard against selective morality and double standards
Merlynn Edelstein (SA Jews for Free Palestine) would be more than surprised just how her organisation and “mainstream” Jewry’s views on the Israel/Palestine issue converge. Both would welcome a free Palestine; the method of achieving that goal probably differs as the “mainstream” camp support a two-state solution but we have yet to hear how SAJFP would like to see a free Palestine emerge.
Allan Wolman
In a letter to this newspaper last week Edelstein expresses strong feelings about her views and the importance of alternative opinions being heard. I don’t believe anyone would take issue with this. Neither do I believe anyone would have an issue with her view of recognition of the 1948 borders.
Others have differing views of those borders, but both obviously recognise Israel’s sovereignty and I believe both have an unwavering commitment to Israel’s survival.
Edelstein’s main concern seems to be that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “purports to act in the name of global Jewry”. What he does as prime minister of the only Jewish state on Earth is speak for the people he represents, which happen to be predominantly Jewish, as does Zuma, Cameron or Obama (speaking for their people).
SAJFP’s claim of ethnic cleansing is an interesting accusation and if Edelstein were to look up the term on Wikipedia, she would find scores of actual cases of ethnic cleansing, many in the Arab world, yet this source says about the Palestinians: “The cause of this displacement and its description as ethnic cleansing is disputed by scholars.”
SAJFP claims that the plight of the Palestinians in other Arab states is “central to our concern”, as they “advocate for the return of these refugees to their proper home”, and “Syria, Yemen and Islamic State do not claim to perpetrate atrocities in our name”.
Is that reason enough not to protest the slaughter of a quarter of a million people? At the same time SAJFP will “continue to campaign against discrimination and injustice” – but not against the murder and abuse of those invisible Palestinians of these other Arab lands – is this not selective morality and double standards, Edelstein?
Rosebank