Pandor Under Fire, Palestine Debated and TV Ads Slammed: Readers Sound Off

Letters to the editor

Smearing Pandor will not silence truth

In an outrageous attack on Naledi Pandor’s integrity, Rolene Marks, of the Israeli-SA Zionist Federation, resorts – yet again – to convoluted disinformation in her desperate defence of the genocidal regime.

Titled, An Open Letter to Naledi Pandor, and published in Politics­web on December 7, Marks repeats unfounded, unsubstantiated allegations to besmirch Pandor. The emotional ranting, notwithstanding absolute disregard for truth, is symptomatic of the war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu’s highly resourced Hasbara (propaganda) campaigns.

Since the SAZF is a self-described loyal agency of Israel, it is not surprising that Marks regularly embarks on rhetoric laden with misinformation we are boringly familiar with. Her frustration obviously stems from the fact that Pandor’s unflinching commitment to human rights and justice – an uncompromised principle – is neither for sale nor negotiable.

Pandor’s distinguished role in having Israel charged at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the heinous crime of genocide against Palestinians, forces defenders of Zionist terrorism and war crimes to self-reflect. However, it appears that the cracked mirror Marks looks at, reflects a disjointed image of a criminal entity most of the world has recognised as an apartheid regime underpinned by a brutal military and led by thugs facing arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

It is thus true that to defend or turn a blind eye on the Zionist regime’s atrocities informed by its misguided policy of Jewish supremacy, makes one complicit in a range of human rights contraventions. Equally it is not only correct, but imperative to condemn all who participate in whitewashing Israel’s defiance of global conventions including the UN Charter On Human Rights.

Resorting to “WhatAboutism” by injecting Iran in Mark’s attempt to discredit Pandor is another sign of desperation. Indeed, the fallacy of her arguments reflects bankruptcy! Supporting resistance against injustice, oppression and apartheid is a matter of principle which the Islamic Republic of Iran has courageously upheld against Israel as it did against South Africa’s notorious racist regime. To invoke misplaced designations of terrorism to resistance movements, is a poor reflection of the history of South Africa’s liberation struggle.

The “logic” applied by Marks against Iran’s Revolutionary Guards is questionable, for it feeds a narrative associated with the Netanyahu regime that promotes unbridled Islamophobia.

Unlike Iran’s unblemished record as a stable, responsible and rational sovereign state, Israel since its illegal colonial occupation of Palestine in 1948, has instigated major wars across the region. Destabilisation of the Muslim world and dismemberment of Palestinians remains a core objective of Israel.

And in contrast to Iran, the Zionist regime has since 1948 defied dozens of UN Security Council resolutions. | Iqbal Jassat

Does the Qur’an mention Palestine?

Sadly, many non-Muslims grow up knowing very little about Islam – its beliefs, practices or sacred texts.

For generations, the Palestinian issue has been one of the most emotionally charged rallying points in the world. Streets fill with flags, students protest, sermons invoke the “Palestinian cause”, and politicians frame it as a sacred duty. But what do Islam’s own sacred texts actually say about the land and its people?

In 63 BC, Roman general Pompey conquered Jerusalem and established control over Judea. The region initially functioned as a client kingdom rather than a fully annexed Roman province, with Herod the Great installed as king over the Jewish people in 37 BC.

Following Herod’s death in 6 AD, his kingdom was divided among his sons, and Judea fell under direct Roman administration, governed by officials such as Pontius Pilate.

Between 66 AD and 135 AD, Jewish revolts against Rome resulted in the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. After the Second Great Jewish Revolt, Emperor Hadrian attempted to erase Jewish identity from the land by renaming Israel and Judea “Syria Palaestina”, after the Philistines.

By the time of the Prophet Muhammad, nearly five centuries later, the land was still known by that Roman name. But did the Prophet incorporate “Palestine” into his revelations? The answer is no.

The Qur’an, verse 17:104 states: “And We said to the Children of Israel after Pharaoh, ‘Reside in the land; but when the promise of the Hereafter comes to pass, We will bring you all together.’”It refers to the Children of Israel, not to the children of Palestine.

Similarly, in verses 5:20–21, the Qur’an recounts Moses saying to his people: “O my people, remember Allah’s favour upon you when He raised prophets among you, made you sovereign and gave you what He had not given to anyone else in the world. O my people, enter the Holy Land which Allah has destined for you.”

Who are these people being addressed? Not Muslims, but the Israelites. According to the Qur’anic text, they are commanded to enter the Holy Land that Allah destined for them.

Taken together, these passages present a contrast between modern political slogans and Islam’s sacred texts. While many Muslims today chant “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, it is worth noting that Islam’s foundational scriptures do not mention Palestine.

Instead, they acknowledge the Holy Land as having been given by Allah to the children of Israel. | Kevin Meineke Summerveld

Some things just don’t belong on TV

Sanitary pads are a such a personal and intimate part of being a woman. But the brand, “Always” doesn’t think so and puts its blood-smeared pads on public display to show how absorbent and effective it is.

It’s all about boosting sales and profits. I wonder what the television viewers think about sanitary pads being displayed in such a shameless manner on television.

Do you think it’s a good idea that something as personal and intimate as a sanitary pad should be shown on television for all to see? What about little children watching it? Children are so curious nowadays. How will you explain it to them? Spin a yarn? What are the views of women on this sensitive topic? Do you think I’m over stepping my mark?

While I acknowledge that menstruation is a natural, biological process of the female reproductive system, I do not think sanitary pads should go on public display. We do not have to be like sleazy America where everything is laid bare for all to see.

Modesty, decorum and decency won’t bring in profits. But nudity, explicit sex and vulgarity will. They will boost sales and make you go laughing to the bank.

Like everything else in the country, advertisements on television have sunk to tasteless and stupid. | T Markandan Kloof

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