Opinion  Sima Kadmon
Lost in Africa
Sima Kadmon
Published: 10.12.13, 10:05
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39 Talkbacks for this article
1. The author is right:nobody will sob because of it. Not us!
tom ,   tel aviv   (12.10.13)
2. As good men go
Mark ,   KS. ISrael   (12.10.13)
Netanyahu is as the saying goes "A good man, as good men go. And as good men go, it's time for him to leave". This leader and his Deputy PM (Sara) are an embarrassment to Israel in their conduct, his concerted grasp to the leadership role is over riding all the political astuteness that is required of him and his behavior, as a "lone maverick" and supposed "voice of the people" is becoming a source of world wide embarrassment for Israel. He will do more to destroy Israel in international eyes than any media campaign by Abbas, Iran, Erdogan and all our other enemies put together! Come on Israel, it is time to vote this, one of Israels greatest threats, out of office. The time has come to find a leader of integrity, vision and consistency to run this beautiful country. Not to mention a leader with a wife that is not an appendage or embarrassment!
3. Israel being represented by Speaker is correct level
Alan ,   SA   (12.10.13)
-if he should have come at all.,take it from me. Why should Bibi or Peres come to SA to be humiliated or at best snubbed!..Every Minister or Official just attacks Israel at every opportunity. Will it be a matter of time before this Israel hate fest rubs onto the local Jewish population as more and more people from North Africa and Asia arrive in SA to settle. .Tutu said Occupation is worse than what SA Blacks suffered,under white minority rule! Female Minister said that whenever she looks at a map of Israel she cant sleep that night. I really don't know why if they hate Israel so much SA don't just call it a day and break off relations.. The pity is that Israel has so much to offer in Agribusiness/science.50 Million black people need food and Jobs.But SA has so aligned itself with every one who hates Israel,that the poor peasants lose out!.
4. What a shame for Israel !
(12.10.13)
So little respect for such a great Man
5. Mandela admired Jews and Israel
Shalom ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (12.10.13)
Sima Kadmon assumes, falsely, that Mandela shares his own opinions about Israel. But, according to a recent Allgemeiner article: "Mandela’s memoirs are full of positive references to Jews and even Israel. He recalls that he learned about guerilla warfare not from Fidel Castro, but from Arthur Goldreich, a South African Jew who fought with the Palmach during Israel’s War of Independence. He relates the anecdote that the only airline willing to fly his friend, Walter Sisulu, to Europe without a passport was Israel’s own El Al."
6. Shame!
david polovin ,   cape town   (12.10.13)
The funeral is an occasion for the world's leaders to gather in the same place and pay homage to an iconic and legendary personality loved the world over. Israel is conspicuous in its absence and there is nothing good that can be said for it. What a pity!
7. Criticism
Bianca ,   Namibia   (12.10.13)
Seriously... Why always to criticise. there might be various reasons for this decision and no need to over analyze it all.
8. The giveaway
Shalom ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (12.10.13)
is where she asks "What's the matter with Israeli intellectuals who are famous all over the world, someone like David Grossman for instance? Or Amos Oz." She means: "Why not someone like Sima Kadmon?"
9. Hypocrits and Fools.
AVouskila ,   South America   (12.10.13)
I agree whole heartedly for an Israeli high presence in the Funerals of President Nelson Mandela. He not only was a very sincere and genuine man, no hypocrisie here: but he did not suffer FOOLS. And he would have exorted his people to save resources and to conduct a simple burrial for him. But, was it not too long ago (actually this week that the Israel media complained adamantly about the PMO exxcessive lavish style, of going abroad and shower himself and Sarah for no wanting) that everyone turned to Netanyahu, without a wiff of reproch towards the expenses of the Travelling President. One more overlooked corner obscured by the Media, and the writer: Israel is Persona Non Grata in South Africa. Whether we recognise it or no, the influence of the Muslim-Arab world is very felt among the governing body of S.A.. Sad, but it is true.......!
10. Netanyahu's no-show
Col ,   Raanana   (12.10.13)
Considering the thousands of empty seats in the stadium, it seems that many other people found a reason not attend Mandela's farewell ceremony.
11. Cheap shot.
Michael Pielet ,   Israel   (12.10.13)
Bibi and Peres did not go to the funeral because the Shin Bet said no. Too dangerous. The elite of South Africa are opposed to the state of Israel. Mandela, a man of peace, was aided and supported by the Jews of South Africa, and the Golda Meir government. However Mandela supported Arafat and his terrorists, aqainst Israel.. Next time Sima you go to the funeral. The Israeli contribution to South Africa and Africa generally is immeasurable.We Jews received no credit from the world for what we did. However Mandela knew!
12. Both cost and security
Ron ,   oc us   (12.10.13)
There is no need to go. NM wasn't a bad guy per say but that is the long and short of it. His movement owed a lot to the Jew and he repaid the Jew with loyalty to Arafat.
13. Corrections and Yom Kippur War
Zechariah   (12.10.13)
In the Yom Kippur War all African states many that Israel helped broke off diplomatic relations with Israel on Oil Blackmail.Mandela was for a Two State Remedy and in his biography openly noted that Jews inSouth Africa were mostly far more liberal than other whites.
14. let us not forget
israeli ,   israel   (12.10.13)
the yearly hatefest hosted in Durban and also Mandela's love and admiration for Arafat. Besides, only about 100 heads of state (out of 195 recognized members) are attending. Nothing wrong with being with the non-attending half.
15. no need to go
mike north ,   karmiel israel   (12.10.13)
Netanyahu is better off not going.SA is aflame with Israel hatred and there would have been massive pro -palestinian protests everywhere. Durban ignited the flame and there is no chance that it will be extinguished. What a shame -they have so many things to correct in SA as their government leaders flounder hopelessly
16. Respect for a Great Man Indeed!
Warren ,   Sydney Australia   (12.10.13)
You are right! Bibi doesn't get enough respect!
17. The writer needs a dose of his own medicine
mea   (12.10.13)
If the writer is so concerned about form, etiquette and such, why does he use this newspaper to take a truly cheap shot at the Netanyahus, especially Israel's first lady? You cannot have it both ways, so either stop complaining about protocol or get some manners and knock off the inappropriate digs at the first lady. The truth of this matter is there could have been other reasons given for the change--such as a security assessment that could not be overcome.
18. @11 Michael - Mandela admired and praised Israel...
Gunnar ,   Gothenburg, Sweden   (12.10.13)
...on countless occasions. The problems with blind extremists such as yourself is that you fail to understand that the world isn't a black or white dichotomy. Mandela held the position most of the world holds: that the Jews deserve to live in peace and security in a state of their own AND that the Palestinians deserve an independent state of their own. It doesn't have to be either/or?? And of course Golda Meir didn't support the freedom fight in South Africa. On the contrary, she was one of Apartheid's strongest advocates.
19. no tears for Mandela
Arn ,   Yehud   (12.10.13)
No tears here for Mandela. He was not Israel's friend. The moment he embraced those whose avowed ambition it was to see Israel and its people removed from the map his stature in my eyes was reduced to that of a microbe. Regarding Israel, look at the legacy of hate for us he left behind with the SA government and its people.
20. The great delusion
Etienne Prinsloo ,   Noba Scotia Canada   (12.10.13)
Mandela was a terrorist and not the messiah that the deluded liberal West so desperately hungry for an idol to worship portrays him as. He was a close ally of all those countries calling for Israel's destruction and a staunch critic of the Jewish state. His funeral has been turned into a Hollywood style who' who for the famous and limelight seeking, like Hussain and co. The world, sadly has so lost touch with reality, Mandela was a man, not a god. Israel is and will always be a sovereign state, quite capable of deciding where it's leaders should go and where not. It is not for the liberal press to dictate foreign policy, nor to criticize Mr Netanyahu for not attending a paparazzi fest.
21. If Netanyahu attended the media would blame him for going.
(12.10.13)
22. Get the correct facts.
michael Pielet ,   israel   (12.10.13)
Gunnar, at least get the history right. Golda Meir when she was the Foreign Minister of Israel, in the 1950's set up a program where Israeli scientists, agricultural experts went to Africa to aid the African people. Golda and israel did not just talk. Golda and israel acted. Golda and the israeli government never supported apartheid.That is a canard lie. Mandela knew the truth. And said many times the Jews in South Africa and Israel helped me. What did Sweden, do, absolutely nothing. Sweden supported apartheid and that is a reality. Gunnar please get the history right.
23. #20 Etienne
Maurice ,   Montreal   (12.10.13)
The problem is not that Bibi did not attend, but the fact that he is insulting the intelligence of his people. Clearly, the reason he did not go is not cost related. He sent Yuli Edelstein, didn't he? Does Edelstein's seat on the plane cost less? Bibi's argument is truly ridiculous, and shows lack of respect for his people. I am very disappointed !
24. damned if you do, damned if you don't
tiki ,   belgium   (12.10.13)
If Bibi would have gone, the journalists would have complained about the costs, now that he's not going they're complaining about that. This whole funeral 'circus is something that Mandela would probably have hated. He was a simple man (that's what made him great) and probably would have preferred a simple funeral in his home village with all the burial rituals instead of pushy journalists & egocentric foreign leaders looking for publicity of ''having been there. For whatever the reason, Bibi/Peres staying in Israel was the right & bright thing to do.
25. 18.Sweden was a quiet apartheid supporter
Piet ,   Durban   (12.10.13)
pretending to boycott but doing business by back door
26. #20. Etienne: You're correct; the world changed
Tom W ,   USA   (12.10.13)
As the "New Left" (Cultural Marxism) overtook the Western elite's political agenda, yesterday's bloody terrorists became "freedom fighters" today. Unfortunately the Jews so much fused to Marxism that them unable to see the mortal danger that emanating from their comrades. As the picture shows, Obama handshake with the leader of the murderous Castro regime reveal America's new found love for the Communist: the rehabilitation of Bolshevism is under way - using PC diction to deceive the newborn.
27. Give us a break with non sense
Avram Goldsmith ,   Toronto, Canada   (12.10.13)
Demnitary from Canada which contributed to save political Mandela by pressuring SA then gouvernement had been no allowed to participated and not invited to express their condolance as Mr. Obama which IS BLACK and racism profile of SA is obvioslly not illusionary.
28. Press is pathetic
Carl   (12.10.13)
What is pathetic is the criticism heaped on Bibi by the press for his water bill. In any case considering how SA treats Israel I would consider sending the mayor of Kiryat Shmenoa instead of the PM.
29. Does the author seriously believe
Avishai ,   Tel Aviv   (12.10.13)
Does the author seriously believe that Bibi can travel ANYWHERE alone? You know that he would have to have a full security detail and that's expensive. This is just another opportunistic cheap shot at the office of Prime Minister.
30. Yuly Endelstein is excellent!
JGedalov   (12.10.13)
Good recommendatio
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