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South African Municipal Worker’s Union SAMWU To: Ms Nadine Gordimer Re: Your imminent trip to Israel to celebrate that countryıs 60th birthday Dear Ms Gordimer I am the First Deputy President of the largest local government union in South Africa. SAMWU was alarmed to hear that you are going to be travelling to Israel to participate in that countryıs 60th birthday celebrations an event which is more appropriately described as the Palestinian “Nakba”, or catastrophe – the 60th anniversary of the destruction of Palestine. Your contribution against apartheid in South Africa has been of paramount importance. SAMWU would appreciate it if you do not get involved with, or promote anything that supports the apartheid regime of Israel. SAMWU hereby calls upon you not to take part in the “Israel at 60” celebrations. We are appealing to you not to be part because this will be tantamount to promoting the apartheid regime of Israel. Yours faithfully, Mr Xolile Nxu 21 Apr 08 Dear Nadine Gordimer I write as one who fought against apartheid and the networks of collaboration here in Britain which sustained that regime. I was active in the Anti-Apartheid Movement and the Namibia Support Committee from 1978 to the early 1990s. I do not see how you can attend the celebrations of Israel at 60 without being seen to endorse its history. Yet, I am sure you know that Israel is committing countless crimes against the Palestinian people, stretching from the ethnic cleansing of 1948 to the current military occupation, while creating an apartheid society of its own. South African activists rightly called on the rest of the world to refuse to tolerate apartheid, and help bring it to an end through a strategy of boycott, divestment and sanctions. We now call on you to stand up without compromise against the intrinsic racism of the Zionist enterprise. Let us be true to our beliefs in a world where discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexuality may finally end. Yours, Greg Dropkin 22 April 2008 Dear Nadine Gordimer You don’t know me, nor will have heard my name in all probability. That’s not important. I am concerned that you are contemplating supporting the extreme right-wing, reactionary Zionist rulers by participating in 60th anniversary celebrations of the Israel State. I was born a generation after you, in 1945, and at 22 years your junior, was not cognizant of the positive or negative effects of post-WW2 developments, until decades later. You have lived through and observed that same period as a developed adult, and your record of such a bold, strong and consistent stand against the outrage of apartheid in South Africa is acclaimed by progressive people globally. Indeed it was the actions of those like yourself that we younger folk were enlightened as to moral issues that spurred us into collective protest. From the early 1970s until the fall of apartheid - even now actively concerned at the enduring effects of that rotten system - I have been in the ranks of the anti-apartheid cause, and other causes for humanity, here in New Zealand. Today the same faces carry on the essential task of opposing other examples of oppression and invasion - such as that over the Palestian people by the Zionists who rule Israel. Immediately, I am nonplussed at how a person with your outlook, talents and record can even think about turning out to support a government that is now described almost universally as practising an apartheid system against the Palestinian nation. Moral principles are neither ephemeral, nor matters of conscience to be laid aside after having “paid ones’ dues” over whatever duration. I understand that you are Jewish. Despite one’s ethnic or social background, support of any kind for militaristic, expansionist and racist regimes cannot be gauged as progressive or principled. I’m certain you are aware that the generation now reaching adulthood, is immersed in a miasma of ideological and political reaction, and economic uncertainly. Progressive movements are striving to maintain some influence - too often from positions of illegality as dictated by brutal governments. Benign sounding offers from the likes of the Zionist government of Israel, and their acceptance by such notable people as yourself can only contribute more confusion and a profound sense of betrayal. Please don’t become a show-piece for those bastards. I’m confident you will consider your situation deeply, and am happy to correspond further if this is appropriate. Sincerely Jim Gladwin |