Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., May 01, 2008 Nisan 26, 5768 | | Israel Time: 04:38 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 07:44 30/04/2008 Nadine Gordimer defends decision to attend J'lem writers conference By David B. Green Tags: Literature, Nadine Gordimer  South African writer Nadine Gordimer on Tuesday defended her decision to attend a writers conference in Israel next month, saying that her "comrades" should have no doubts about her "solidarity with the struggle - our struggle - against apartheid." Gordimer noted that her invitation came not from the Israeli government but from Mishkenot Sha'ananim. About 15 foreign and 40 Israeli writers are expected to attend the mid-May five-day gathering. The 1991 Nobel Prize for Literature laureate had been under enormous pressure at home and abroad to boycott the conference. Last weekend she said she decided to attend after arranging to meet with Palestinians as well as Israelis. Advertisement Her remarks Tuesday came in a statement she released from her Johannesburg home. Gordimer, a longtime supporter of the African National Congress and an outspoken critic of Israeli policies, suggested that the purpose of the festival "is to assert vitally that whatever violent, terrible, bitter and urgent chasms of conflict lie between peoples, the only solutions for peace and justice exist and must begin with both sides talking to one another." Acknowledging that Hamas denies "the right of Israel to exist," Gordimer nonetheless said it must be part of the solution. She urged the Palestinian Islamist movement not to forget "that Nelson Mandela went, was escorted from and returned to Pollsmore Prison, for a face-to-face meeting with apartheid president P.W. Botha." She reminded those urging her to boycott the festival of her endorsements of Ronnie Kasrils' 'Not in our name'" statement. The December 2001 letter by the Jewish cabinet minister and former ANC rebel was signed by "South Africans of Jewish descent." It said "the root cause" of the second intifada was Israel's occupation of the territories and urged Israel to renew negotiations with the Palestinians. Gordimer's letter noted that she will visit Ramallah and meet in Jerusalem with students at the Palestinian Al-Quds University. She ended it by stating, "I shall do my utmost to uphold the principles and practice I have held, and still hold, at home in our country." Related articles: Facing widespread pressure, Nadine Gordimer may pull out of Israel writers meet Jewish American authors to attend Jerusalem writers festival Yes, it is apartheid Bookmark to del.icio.us   Clear, present danger Survey : 52% of youth believe Israel faces existential threat. Feeling guilty Europe's criticism of Israel is more than just anti-Semitism.   1.   Another Jewish Lefty - Big Deal 05:21  |  Tod Zuckerman 30/04/08   2.   As it should be... 08:04  |  Esther 30/04/08   3.   Why does the Left suck up to the Palestinian propaganda? 08:12  |  Joe Sittizen 30/04/08   4.   Don`t do us any favors 08:12  |  Ofer from Ofer 30/04/08   5.   Political Correctness 08:13  |  Stan 30/04/08   6.   Gordimer - standing in solidarity with left wing haters of Israel 08:35  |  Raymond in DC 30/04/08   7.   Al Quds and our Catholic schools in east Jerusalem 08:42  |  Yaakov Sullivan 30/04/08   8.   boycott Nadine Gordimer 09:05  |  don 30/04/08   9.   nadine gordimer 09:29  |  rachel simson 30/04/08   10.   #3, Jo Sittizen, the secret of the left 09:52  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 30/04/08   11.   Whsat`s the connection? 10:00  |  JordanisPalestine 30/04/08   12.   Re Cipora #10 10:25  |  Esther 30/04/08   13.   Indigineous Peoples 10:33  |  Stan 30/04/08   14.   Remember Dusty Springfield; think again! 10:35  |  Chanalau, Tova 30/04/08   15.   Just wondering.... 10:36  |  Esther 30/04/08   16.   Gordimer and Kasrils 10:37  |  koos 30/04/08   17.   She has to defend her decision?who is yankimg her leash 10:49  |  YSL 30/04/08   18.   Dont meet with the PA 11:05  |  Stan 30/04/08   19.   #12, Esther 11:10  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 30/04/08   20.   Re YSL #17... about yanking the leash... 11:10  |  Esther 30/04/08   21.   why does Israel invite people like this in the first place 11:19  |  aj 30/04/08   22.   listen to her words to understand how cowed she is 11:26  |  yirmiyahu 30/04/08   23.   She sould visit a typical 11:48  |  Stan 30/04/08   24.   Who really gives a rats bottom whether she comes or not 12:28  |  Chanalau,Tova 30/04/08   25.   # 23 Stan 12:59  |  JordanisPalestine 30/04/08   26.   The Root Cause of Both Intefadas 13:10  |  JordanisPalestine 30/04/08   27.   She seems genuinely confused! Nelson Mandela was released to meet 13:32  |  lakshmi 30/04/08   28.   yaacov Sulivan 13:34  |  Arthur 30/04/08   29.   I prefer Doris Lessing 14:41  |  Buzaglow 30/04/08   30.   #29: WHICH Africans "have a warm feelings for Israel 01:05  |  Aaron Aarons 01/05/08   31.   gordimer is a vindictive and sanctimonious fool 04:11  |  dante 01/05/08

Read & React Syrian emissary: We won't cut Iran ties for peace with Israel Responses: 206 Islamic Jihad: Willing to accept truce only if Gaza siege lifted Responses: 140 Y. Sheleg: Holocaust shows Europe must not be silent in face of fundamentalist Islam Responses: 184 U.S. Jewish leaders call for boycott of Beijing Olympics Responses: 79 Uzi Benziman: Israel mustn't jump to blame enemy for tragedies like Gaza deaths Responses: 57 More Headlines 03:41 Egypt expects Israel to implement Gaza truce 04:23 Olmert: The voices of Holocaust deniers are being heard 00:23 Understanding the Holocaust 00:38 Bahrain's only Jewish lawmaker rumored to be the country's next ambassador to the U.S. 03:42 Survey: 52% of Israeli teens say Israel faces existential threat 02:48 Avram Grant takes Chelsea to Champions' League final 01:29 Libya stands by comparison of Nazi concentration camps, Gaza 02:41 Iran complains to UN about Clinton's comments on Israel, Iran 22:41 Palestinians: Militant killed, 3 others hurt in IAF strike on Gaza 02:54 Survey: Rising medical costs forcing more Israelis to forgo care 02:23 Rarely seen segment of the Dead Sea Scrolls to be displayed for Israel's 60th anniversary 20:12 As Qassams pound Negev, Sderot residents urge boycott of Independence Day Previous Editions Select Day 30 apr 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr 25 apr 24 apr 23 apr 22 apr 21 apr 20 apr 18 apr 17 apr

Special Offers Advertisement Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/programs/summer/summer_sessions/summer_s.php FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer The interest rates haven't changed But your profits will! Learn Hebrew online with Israel's best teachers Sign up for a trial lesson today Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved