The Swedish success author Henning Mankell’s views on Israel

The Swedish success author Henning Mankell’s views on Israel

The famous thriller writer Henning Mankell took part in the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. I think it is of general interest to know Mankell’s views on Israel from its establishment to the present day.

When the Swedish part of the Ship to Gaza campaign was launched at a gala event at Södra Teatern (Southern Theatre) in Stockholm August 15^th 2009, Henning Mankell made an extensive speech on how he saw the present situation in Israel and Palestine. He also talked about his views on Israel, how it was established and how he viewed the state, comparing it to South Africa during the apartheid days and how he sees the future for the Jewish state.

I have translated as literally as possible from the text http://www.shiptogaza.se/sv/henning-mankell-om-gaza which still is present at the Swedish Ship to Gaza website:

On Israel as a state and its establishment:

“It’s like experiencing a ghost raising from its grave. It’s like watching the South African Apartheid system arise again from the historical scrap heap where it was finally dumped around  15 years ago…

But one cannot of course compare South Africa with Israel and Palestine. There are historical differences that in many ways are decisive. The Israeli state was established after World War II when the shattered Jewish people  had all bloody aces on hand (my italics). After what Nazism had done to all the groups of “untermenschen” of which the Jews had formed such a large group.

One can consider or play with the thought that if it today in 2009 had been possible to so quickly and easily establish a state as Israel (was established). On occupied land where other people were to be expelled. Of course not….

It is important to never forget this, that Israel is created on the basis of an occupation. Nothing else. The whole present structure of the state is based upon developing this occupation. ..

On the two-state solution and suicide attacks “

“What will the future look like? There I think the people gathered here today aren’t all agreed. Many, perhaps most people here, think a two-state solution is the future solution that must be implemented to dismantle the terrorist Israeli state. (For me that the more or less desperate bomb attacks, suicide attacks and the like, is an expression of the Palestinian resistance, no more no less: resistance against an occupation power.  It is not more noteworthy than the fact that Norwegian resistance liquidated renegades or quislings during the Nazi occupation. If one is oppressed, one responds with resistance).

….My alternative (to the two-state solution) is: what you can call the rainbow-state after South Africa. A land where open elections will lead the popular majority, the Arabs or Palestinians to get to a position of power (my italics). But those who have previously oppressed them will be granted full civil rights – without privileges – in the country.”

I will not comment on the speech. I think the readers will be able to draw their own conclusions.

Lisa Abramowicz

Secretary General

Swedish Israel-Information Center