Farewell Desmond Tutu
JVL Introduction
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor”
JVL shares with so many others our sadness at the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the age of 90. We have lost a true fighter not only in the epoch-defining struggle in South Africa, but also a staunch supporter in the ongoing campaign to end apartheid’s hold-out outpost in Israel/Palestine.
A world-renowned figure in the movement against apartheid in South Africa, he was always steadfast in his principled belief in the humanity of all. He was willing to criticise the ANC for their use of arms, and to stand against the diktats of the Church on such issues as acceptance of gay clergy, equal marriage and even assisted dying.
We have all lost a true fighter not only in that gargantuan struggle in South Africa but also we have lost someone with the ability to retain his humanity and compassion even in the face of barbarity.
It was this personal context of his principles and beliefs that generated his unwavering support for Palestine, including for the call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. He was emphatic that the situation for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza was far worse than for Black people in Apartheid South Africa.
He famously said: ““If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor “ and continued “If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”
Peace and justice go hand in hand and the struggle continues, in Palestine, in South Africa, in the UK and throughout the world. We say farewell, with the greatest respect, to a man who never gave up the fight.
A luta continua!
We welcome the fact that Ha’aretz has reissued the article that the Archbishop wrote for that publication in 2014. This ends with these words “Nelson Mandela famously said that South Africans would not feel free until Palestinians were free. He might have added that the liberation of Palestine will liberate Israel, too.” JVL cannot emphasise enough how strongly we endorse this.
This article was originally published by Ha'aretz on Sun 26 Dec 2021. Read the original here.
Desmond Tutu to Haaretz: This Is My Plea to the People of Israel
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What a Man Desmond Tutu was one of the outstanding Heroes of my younger years and still is saw him speak out against Apartheid at Trafalgar Square!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for this article. I hadn’t read Tutu’s plea to the people of Israel before and am grateful for the opportunity of dong so.
A memory I’d like to share … I saw a private family photograph of a grandchild (a chorister) reacting to Desmond Tutu (dressed in full ecclesiastical splendour, bustling up a church aisle with a huge grin on his face).
It’s a special memory to me because the child’s face and body language showed the happy delight he felt in (casually) encountering a human being of such joy, cheerfulness and purpose. It’s rare I think for children to have such a strong and positive response to passing dignitaries.
A moving piece. We’ve lost a great man and comrade.
It’s more than a pity the Guardian decided to censor this side of his view of World affairs in the obituary they published. Shame on them.