Letters/Discussion Forums
SAJR apologises for Hitler insult to Tutu
GEOFF SIFRIN – EDITOR
The unfortunate and mistaken placement on the website of the South African Jewish Report of an op-ed piece by Leon Reich that compares Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu to Hitler and Stalin, has caused serious upset among its readers and others. It is not the policy of the paper to carry material which makes these kind of statements and the paper apologises unconditionally to the Archbishop. The offending piece has been removed.
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Peter Hubbard
September 12, 2014 at 7:54 am
‘How about you chaps put it back up so we can see what it was that you’re now suddenly so embarassed about, huh?’
Myron Robinson
September 12, 2014 at 9:20 am
‘To compare Tutu to Hitler is wrong. That Tutu, like other so called liberals, has done more to enhance anti-Semitism & the hate towards all Jews & Israel is indisputable.
Furthermore that Tutu is still a patron of the Holocaust Museum in Cape Town is an insult to all those who perished in Holocaust as well in my opinion to all Jews (excluding the 500 who are Jewish only by an accident of Birth)
Tutu is an anti-Semitic bigot & should be immediately removed as a Patron of the Museum in CT.’
Gary Selikow
September 12, 2014 at 10:08 am
‘Why apologize when Tutu would clearly like to see every Jewish man , woman and child in Israel murdered?’
Mark Palmos
September 12, 2014 at 10:10 am
‘Disgusting. Typical behaviour of the Israel Lobby… discrediting dissent. They have a very sophisticated propaganda machine that has been working on (and has succeeded in) creating the sense of fear and shame for speaking out against the Israelis. They have succeeded in compacting \”Anti-Semitism\” with any criticism of what Israel does. They viciously attacked President Jimmy Carter and suggested he was a Nazi sympathiser when he spoke out about the similarities between South African Apartheid and the system in Israel. It is shameful and ironic that a people who have had so much oppression directed at them can be so oppressive and blind to their own beliefs and actions.
‘
Myron Robinson
September 12, 2014 at 10:59 am
‘
Mark Palmos. Israeli Propaganda. Who owns most of the
Media. Qatar. Only because of face book etc. can Pro Israeli supporters now fight back. I have criticized Israel on many occasions but let us call a spade
a spade. Tutu condemns Israel ad nauseum but has not once criticized Hamas but for using human Shields or Syria (200 000) dead. Darfur 600 000. Arab
Spring 300 000 deaths. All Muslim on Muslim Tutu, Dugard etc. criticism of the Arab Worlds human rights abuses as well as deaths caused in the name of Islam are deafening by their silence. Who are the hypocrites now?
‘
Steve van Rensburg
September 12, 2014 at 11:38 am
‘Hyperbole. It’s the best baiting tool ever. Your apology is reminiscent of other people who said sorry. Hitler said sorry once, I think he spilled some salt that one time. Hitler apologized, you apologized, therefore you are LITERALLY Hitler. See how that works?
Whether or not Tutu is an anti-semite is beside the point. There are far worse people out there and yet, Tutu is one of the worst out there due to this article.
Look, having an unbalanced view generates notice but it is the wrong kind. I can say that this publication wants to kill every Muslim on the planet, plus torture their children but that statement isn’t anywhere near the truth.
But anyway, I fear that you won’t learn from this mistake, you’ll just give the writer a slap on the wrist and carry on. Hyperbole ahoy!’
Patrick
September 12, 2014 at 11:53 am
‘You’re right to apologise, of course. It was a disgusting and ridiculous article. I’m kinda disappointed, though, cos it was pretty funny watching the Zionist establishment machinegun itself in the foot.’
Neo
September 12, 2014 at 2:47 pm
‘Steve Van Rensburg, you said it best!’
Brian Fantana
September 12, 2014 at 9:20 pm
‘@Gary Selikow
Such unending anger and vitriol – I pity your soul’
Jordan
September 13, 2014 at 7:26 am
‘How was it \”unfortunate and mistaken\” when your Ant Katz told the Mail & Guardian he saw nothing wrong with the piece?
An apology which rests on lies is not an apology at all, and I hope Tutu sees this for what it is.’
Choni
September 13, 2014 at 10:09 am
‘Mr. Editor (on line)
On a personal note , now you can understand how my wife and I felt when, two years ago, an orthodox Rabbi likened my wife and myself to a Gestapo officer and his wife. All because we supported the actions of Dr. Baruch Goldstein hy’d.
I am still waiting for an apology from you publishing that comment by the Rabbi in My Shtetl. Now would be a good time.’
David Abel
September 13, 2014 at 3:52 pm
‘For my rather lengthy comment supporting Leon Reich’s right to express his views on Tutu or any other anti-Semite, see the comment section of Howard Feldman’s explanation of why the SAJR withdrew Leon Reich’s contribution. ‘
David Abel
September 14, 2014 at 8:36 am
‘While appreciating Howard Feldman’s appeal for a more nuanced, tactical approach when dealing with an \”icon\” like the anti-Semitic Tutu (like, perhaps, mentioning Tutu and Hitler in the same paragraph without calling Tutu a Hitler), I put it to the Chairman of the SAJR that Jewish national honour demands that we devise a policy of balancing tactics and honour when dealing with Tutu. Because we, as free and proud SA Jewish citizens living in a democratic country, have every right to use satirical hyperbole to make a point of honour; demanding respect from those who disrespect us (and, as a community, we have certainly done our share in building this country – on many many levels). There is a place for dignity (as employed by the Chief Rabbi) and there is a place for sheer outrage (as employed by Leon Reich). Our long Jewish history – dating back to ancient times, the dark
ages and the modern era – has taught us the painful lesson that often it begins with a Ferdinand & Isabella, a Hitler, a Stalin and a Tutu, and it ends with being thrown into burning oil, the slave prison camps of Siberia, and the furnaces of Dachau. With Tutu supporting Hamas (whose objective is to kill Jews), he is promoting, aiding and abetting an environment of anti-Semitism in this country. Although it is unimaginable as well as highly improbable that such atrocities could take place in this country, it is prudent to recall that SA has seen mass hysteria and the use of the notorious \”necklaces\” (burning tyres) being used on those they despised. Fortunately, we have a model Constitution which negates such possibilities. Leon Reich is one of many in this country who vow that never again will it happen that Jews will be led to slaughter.
‘
Choni
September 15, 2014 at 10:51 am
‘David, Your comment does not reflect the true and tragic consequences of the long exile. You correctly list all the tragedies that have befallen, and continue to befall the Jewish people in exile. No constitution is going to prevent the continuous decline of exile Jewry, if not physically then certainly spiritually.
No amount of whining and condemnation of anti-Semitic utterances and actions by host nations is going to stop the inevitable end of exilic existence.
Those Jews who have chosen to make exile the permanent home for themselves and their children will never find true security both in a physical or spiritual way.
I think your comment is giving the young Jewish community a false sense of security. No constitution is going to save them.
The only place where \”Never again\” is going to be true is in Eretz Yisrael.
Prove me wrong, David, and I will concede to you words.’
layla
September 15, 2014 at 1:01 pm
‘surely it’s possible for one to be both a (fierce) critic of Israel and not be anti-semitic..? surely one does not follow the other. non-sequitar etc. let’s fiercely debate tutu or whomever else on the question of Israel, hamas etc… but conflating their criticism of Israel as anti-semitic is unhelpful – and ironically inflames those very anti-semitic sentiments we decry. ‘
David Abel
September 15, 2014 at 4:53 pm
‘Choni – your argument has merit, but the ramifications are extremely complex, and cannot be adequately dealt with within the constraints of a newspaper’s \”comments section\”. This is not a cop-out, but rather an acknowledgement of the validity of your basic premise, while at the same time indicating that there are so many facets to a discussion of this nature which is best managed in a one-on-one private discussion.
‘
SY Carri
September 16, 2014 at 2:09 am
‘I read about the article in question in the Times of Israel this evening. Could it be made available to the free world? I hope censorship of opinions are not quashed in your country, I do appreciate the conditions in which you live.’
Mordechai
September 16, 2014 at 2:31 am
‘The SAJR has got it so wrong…surely it is the Anti Semite and Israel hater Tutu who should be doing the apology and not the SAJR. I thought the days of Jews apologising to the Tutu’s of the world were a thing of the past…confront Tutu, challenge Tutu, remove him immediately as Patron of the SA Holocaust Foundation and never ever apologise again to him. Lastly please do not suppress this comment by not posting it’
Choni
September 16, 2014 at 9:47 am
‘Hello David, I do not agree that this matter,(which you brought up) regarding the way to deal with the position of S.African Jewry vis-a vis Tutu, should be confined to a one on one basis. As a staunch Likudnik and Zionist, ask youself what the great Jew, Ze’ev Jabotinsky would have said and done had he been alive now and living in S.Africa. For certain he would not have praised the democratic constitution of the \”Goyeshe\” country.
WHAT WOULD JABOTINSKY DO?
He most certainly would have strongly urged his fellow Jews to get the heck out of this exilic cemetery as quick as they could.
Unfortunately, as it turned out in Europe, his words then fell on deaf ears, and he was vilified by most Jewish leaders, and worst of all, by most religious leaders.
David, what is happening now in S.Africa is a very serious episode for the Jewish people. It can never be solved on a one on one basis.
We so need another ‘Jabotinsky’, but sadly, he too will be scorned.
As you pointed out in your previous comment; as has happened throughout the 2000 years of exile there is only one ending for S.African Jews if they do not \”return to Zion\”. Assimilation or extinction.
It has been the trademark of the exile for 2000 years, and S.Africa will be no exception.
As a Zionist ‘leader’ in S.Africa, David, you could emulate, even in a small way, the actions of Ze’ev Jabotinsky.
I believe that the best way of convincing our young Jewish boys and girls of S.Africa is by constant reminders that they are NOT young S.African Jews, but really Israelis in exile. I think the actions and sentiments of our hostile ‘hosts’ should make them realise that they are just not wanted here, no matter what our constitution says.
Enough of being proudly Jewish South Africans.
Start to be proudly Zionist Israelis.
‘
David Abel
September 16, 2014 at 10:23 pm
‘Choni – Jabotinsky was my all-time Jewish/Zionist hero, and in my lifetime of 80 years, I believe I have been true to his legacy in many ways – too many incidents and actions to expand upon adequately.
\n
\nSuffice to say that I have always promoted his brand of Zionism – undeterred even in the midst of many controversies with those who bitterly denigrated his Zionist philosophy and courageous actions as someone way beyond his time.
\n
\nAnd, as the National Vice Chairman of LikudSA, I still maintain that approach to matters involving Jewish life and Zionism.
\n
\nHowever, my comment was in response to your challenge to me regarding your views on aliyah from SA.
\n
\nAs I said, while agreeing with your basic premise, it was a complex subject involving so many facets that it was best dealt with in a lengthy discussion not suited to the comments section of a newspaper.
\n
\nAnd in addition, knowing your passion for the topic, I do not believe we will manage to address it adequately without a long, exhausting exchange of views in the SAJR.
\n
\nSo, with respect, please be aware that this is my final word regarding this subject.
\n
\nBest wishes and a Happy New Year.’
Choni (82)
September 17, 2014 at 8:24 am
‘And a happy new year to you, and yours.
I do hope that we will continue to have ‘discussions’ in the future through this and other forums (Thanks Ant. for have given us the opportunity)’
Juan de la Cruz
September 17, 2014 at 10:29 am
‘Well should you apologise.
Israel/Zionism is perpetuating Hitler’s atrocities, except on the Palestinians. Whited sepulchres. The 4th Reich.’
Gary Selikow
September 18, 2014 at 9:39 am
‘What is Sudan with its 800 000 murdered in Darfur and Syria with 200 000 murdered if a few hundred Hamas terrorists and their vile spawn are killed in Israeli self-defence makes Israelis Nazis?’
Leonard Shapiro
September 20, 2014 at 8:46 am
‘What Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu actually said at the march in Cape Town.
“We will not become haters. We are lovers.
“We are lovers of justice. We… are lovers of freedom… Tell the world: ‘I oppose injustice. I am not anti-Jewish’.”
He added: “We were against injustice, oppression… everything that is evil. We did not become anti-white… I ask one thing: their struggle must be a just struggle. But it must not be that you say we are against Jews. We have Jews here who support our struggle.”
\”Jews are not the enemy, they are God’s children but Zionism is a question that calls for justice\”.
https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/huge-march-for-gaza-in-cape-town-1.1733038#.VB07pI1xmY0‘