[Sundaycommunity] Fwd: Telling the truth about Desmond Tutu’s struggle against apartheid

[Elizabeth Whelan]

From Sheila and Rob Barrett.

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Sheila Barrrett <sheilaannebarrett at gmail.com>
> Date: December 31, 2021 at 7:11:30 AM EST
> To: Elizabeth Whelan <erwhelan at icloud.com>
> Subject: Fwd: Telling the truth about Desmond Tutu’s struggle against apartheid
> 
> Dear Elizabeth, 
> Could you forward this message from the Palestinian group we belong to to the Sunday Community? I am not sure which of the 4 addresses to use. Those of us who read the Guardian article like ourselves will be interested. Many thanks Liz from us both, and love-
> Sheila and Rob xx
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
>> From: "PSC Team, Palestine Solidarity Campaign" <Do-Not-Reply at palestinecampaign.org>
>> Date: 30 December 2021 at 18:01:07 GMT
>> To: Sheila <sheilaannebarrett at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Telling the truth about Desmond Tutu’s struggle against apartheid
>> Reply-To: "PSC Team, Palestine Solidarity Campaign" <Do-Not-Reply at palestinecampaign.org>
>> 
>> 
>> View this email in your browser
>> 
>> Dear Sheila,
>> 
>> All of those committed to the struggle for justice and peace in the world are mourning the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He was a giant in the struggle against South African apartheid and against all forms of racial injustice. For Palestinians his support for their struggle for justice rendered him an iconic figure.
>> 
>> Many of you will have noticed that The Guardian’s obituary failed to make any mention of his repeated criticism of Israeli policies, and his commitment to the cause of Palestinian liberation. However the concern about this omission was made more serious by the deletion of a large number of comments in response to the obituary which all highlighted Tutu’s condemnation of Israeli apartheid on the grounds that such comments "violate the Guardian’s community standards".  
>> 
>> After correspondence from PSC and others, including some who had had their posts removed, the Guardian has now reposted all of the deleted comments.
>> 
>> You can read PSC’s statement about the issue, alongside a letter we organised signed by over 30 prominent figures below.
>>  
>> Read the Statement
>> The Guardian has now also published this piece addressing Tutu’s support for Palestinian rights.
>>  
>> We are pleased that the Guardian, after pressure from PSC, has taken action to restore the deleted comments and privately acknowledged that they should not have been deleted, and have now published the subsequent piece.
>> 
>> But the fact of their original deletion is of deep concern. It is difficult to view these actions away from the context of the pressure being applied by Israel and its supporters to render any labelling of its laws and policies as racist, and any call for a sanctions-led response to be forms of antisemitism. Tutu himself was subject to this critique during his lifetime, specifically after his endorsement of the Palestinian call for BDS.
>>  
>> PSC will be writing again to the Guardian Editor and seeking a meeting to address what action the Guardian will be taking to ensure that such issues do not emerge in the future.
>>  
>> Tutu once said "I wish I could keep quiet about the plight of the Palestinians. I can't!" We should not allow those who wish he had stayed silent to tarnish his memory and the lesson he gave all of us about what it means to be a consistent antiracist.
>> 
>> Ensuring the voices of Palestinians and those advocating on their behalf are heard is a crucial part of PSC’s work and will continue to be so in 2022. Over the past few days we have been writing to you asking for your help to support that work. Thanks to your generosity, we are close to reaching our target. Please give what ever else you can to support our ongoing campaigns
>>  
>> I'll donate to support PSC's work!
>> Forward together to freedom, justice and equality!
>> 
>> Yours in solidarity,
>> The PSC Team
>>  
>> Join PSC today (if not already a member)
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Copyright © All rights reserved.
>>  
>> Palestine Solidarity Campaign Ltd is limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales, Number 5213508.
>> 
>> The Registered Office (not for correspondence) is 5th Floor, 65 Leadenhall Street, London EC3A 2AD.
>> 
>> 
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