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Former ambassador: Netanyahu is not welcome in South Africa
Ynet reporters
Published: 10.12.13, 13:55
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22 Talkbacks for this article
1. how fickleā€¦.
Rick ,   Raanana   (12.10.13)
That the SA public would welcome Peres as he is "a different matter" shows how fickle the press and public is. Despite his "peace now" show, Peres was one of the architects of the apartheid SA-Israel arms relationship. Bibi did the right thing by not going - however you cut it.
2. South Africa
Albrecht Klein ,   Germany   (12.10.13)
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana
3. Liel
Benjamin ,   Raanana   (12.10.13)
Alon Liel called for boycotts of Israeli products by SA produced in Judea and Samaria . He is a thoroughly discredited extreme left politician who never learned Mandelas legacy of loyalty to your country rather then your own agenda
4. Lame excuse for not honoring Mandela...
Avi ,   Israel   (12.10.13)
Reinforces the stereo type that Jews are cheap...
5. We're very lucky!
Sherlock Holmes ,   London England   (12.10.13)
During the ceremony itself the chairman thanked President Peres and PM Netanyahu of Israel [among the 90 countries who sent representatives to South Africa]. Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein spoke beautifully oin behalf of South African Jewry.
6. SOooo, why isn't Bibi welcomed in SA?!??
Jersey Jew ,   New Jersey, USA   (12.10.13)
An explanation is curiously missing ...
7. If your not welcome,
David ,   Montreal, Canada   (12.10.13)
why insiste. Bibi did the right thing. Mandela policy don't add up. So why be a hypocrite? As for the reason, I think it shows that Mandela is not worth the travel costs, and keeping in mind their boycotte of Israel's goods did not contribute to the travel costs.
8. We DON' T CARE ABOUT South Africa and Mandela !!!
Frederic   (12.10.13)
9. @ #5
observer ,   KL& MY   (12.10.13)
Thank you for the info. Usually the media try to make it a big deal. Maybe it was not the right time to come face to face with supposedly the Iranian delegation or others, not before the serious end of threats and animosity. Bibi and president Peres both sent beautiful messages and it is more than enough to send a delegation to represent Israel. The haters should just stop gossiping.
10. S.Africa and Mandela show streak of antisemitism.
bob k ,   orlando fl usa   (12.10.13)
Mandela deserves praise for his efforts for black freedom in S. Africa but he was not as a champion of freedom as a human value. He was a great supporter of all of Israel's enemies including the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. Ironically, Castro's brother Raul was at the funeral for a 'freedom fighter' while he denies freedom to his people. The Chinese deputy FM was there, China has no democracy. As for Israel, Mandela ignored the Arab rejection of the UN shared land as agreed to by Jews in 1947 and continued to ignore that Jews have a right to live anywhere in the land of Israel. However, for peace, land can be shared. It just needs the arabs to agree and they don't. Israel is a great democracy attacked and threatened by its neighbors. Let's remember that the Palestinians had all of Judah and Samaria plus east Jerusalem from 1948-1967 when they supported the Jordanian attack on Israel pledging to destroy us. That is how they came to be occupied. If and when they give up their goal of denying Jewish independence (and that means hamas etc must do so as well) then we may transfer more land to them for a real peace. I think Mandela was one of those Christians who love to preach to Jews as if Christians exist on a higher moral plane. Like the EU which sees Israel thru the European lens of a long colonial past and preaches to Israel rather than the Arabs who deny Jewish independence.
11. Rubbish!
Anshel ,   Canada   (12.10.13)
No other people suffered so much as the Jews in the history of mankind. We had our great leaders and visionaries, like Abraham, Moses, Rashi, Maimonides, Herzl, etc.. and we had great and brave people who fought for our Jewish State, those are our heroes, so who cares what the South African think...
12. In Israel, it's the other way around.
manicdrummer ,   Haifa, Israel   (12.10.13)
Looking at the big picture, the entire Middle East is a Jewish minority being constantly harassed and threatened by a Muslim majority. THAT is the true image of apartheid in the Middle East! Israel belongs to us Jews and we will NOT give it up! Ever!
13. No Streak of Anti Semitism
Claude ,   London & Cape Town   (12.10.13)
Certainly not from Mandela. Those who knew him and worked with him know very well that this is not true. He had very close friendships with many SA Jews, including members of my own family. He was genuinely pained by the persistent unresolved conflict between IL and the Palestinians and he was committed to the vision of a 2 State Solution. Some of the talkback comments reflect the ignorance and prejudice that belong in the dustbin of history.
14. All things that needs looking at
(12.10.13)
If one has to analyse all that needs examining with Israel Government , PR and public debate then this sums it up well. Firstly that the PM did not appreciate the resentment or difficulties to his visit wrong or right. Secondly the public debate about the PMs expenses then being used as a justification for not going( as if it might help with the home opinion, ignoring of course the bad international PR, Then the costs of the PMs office being greater than sending six MKs Security. The inference that President is getting on in years and is unable to fulfill his commitments as is needed by Israel. Also in PR terms a lost opportunity to improve relations, pay appropriate respects, with a significant world country with a unequaled stature leader Funeral at a once in a lifetime global event.
15. He was good for S.Africa ..... only
Arnold ,   Montreal-Canada   (12.10.13)
People are fawning all over this man and yes he deserves praise ....but my goodness not to the extent that he is getting. TV , radio, newspapers are wall to wall Mandella. Me ... cannot wait till he is buried and we can move onto the next news cycle. Enough already of Mandela. He was good for S. Africa but no other hotspot is willing to cool down because of him.
16. Mandela a friend of Israel ???????
Don Rosenberg ,   Palatine USA   (12.10.13)
Just like Tutu, who is anti Israel, I am not sure where Mandela stood concerning us Jews. To me, that is the acid test on his morality. If he is like Tutu, he is a plain bigot and hypocrite. If he was pro Israel, which I doubt, he was a good man.
17. Too bad for us
Mark ,   Cleveland USA   (12.10.13)
Too bad Israel couldn't properly participate in a celebration of equal rights and freedom. I hope we haven't forgotten what it means to fight for the rights of "other people" since we rely every day on the good will and support of others who ensure our safety.
18. Israel should not have gone at all
k ,   US   (12.10.13)
If they did not allow Bibi, Israel should have just stayed at home in protest, screw them and the hell with Mandela
19. Bibi blew this one
Ephraim ,   Jerusalem   (12.10.13)
I usually side with Bibi, only because most politicians here are worse, but he totally screwed up this situation. 1- He should have gone to pay respects 2- If he could not go, or did not want to go, using the "cheap Jew" excuse was pretty funny. Really, is that a joke, that we could not afford it? Patently stupid thing to say The best scenario would have been to send Peres, but this article says he was sick. Does the PM's office have any PR people? How could such a boneheaded thing happen?
20. These disusting leftists in the foreign affairs positions...
Sharon ,   Jerusalem   (12.10.13)
and their anti-Israel big mouths are the MAIN REASON for anti-Semitism today. Bibi should FIRE THEM ALL and replace them with patriotic Jews, proud of Israel and happy to defend her. Bibi really should understand the problems they cause internationally and fix this despicable problem.
21. Mandela is a Mandolin for PLO terror!
Benny ,   IRAN   (12.10.13)
Bibi was right not to go. Mandela was great for justice & freedom for Blacks in S. Africa but an abysmal failure for endorsing the PLO & espousing morally corrupt messages about Israel. The arch terrorist PLO is bent on Israel's destruction on a daily basis! These are not the people to endorse-- EVER!!!
22. Bibi has better things than attend Shamandela's funeral
Tomer   (12.10.13)
Running the state of Israel is considering more important than attending some ex Soviet-funded terrorist.
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