“I believe that flagging an individual, whose only intention was to push an agenda of love and light, is dubious.”
By Ilanit Chernick
South African supermodel and brand ambassador Shashi Naidoo may be
turned away from Israel’s border next week as she takes part in at trip
to “re-educate” herself about the situation in “Palestine.”
She told the South African Jewish Report that during a meeting at the
Israeli Embassy, she was told she would be denied access into the
country. She is expected to begin her trip on Monday.
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Naidoo made headlines last month after she defended Israel’s actions in
Gaza and explained the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a factual manner.
However, during her explanation, she called Gaza a “shithole,” due to
the way Hamas is running the Strip. She said the international aid and
money given was being used for rockets instead of housing, schools and
better infrastructure.
Following her comments, the celebrity said she received 10 death threats
and was intimidated, threatened and dropped by several of the brands
she represents.
After the death threats, Naidoo issued an apology for her comments. She
has since been coerced by the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement
targeting Israel into holding a press conference, at which she agreed
to go on a trip with the organization.
“After my meeting at the Israeli Embassy, I have been declined access,”
she told the Jewish Report via a WhatsApp conversation last week.
“I believe that flagging an individual, whose only intention was to push
an agenda of love and light, is dubious,” she wrote, according to the
newspaper. “I have said numerous times that I have no desire to be a
political tool. My only hope was to meet the people, experience the land
and give aid to those in need. It was never a BDS itinerary. I really
am devastated.
“I was moving to Israel to do my Orthodox conversion. And now, nine
months later, I am not allowed entry.” Naidoo was married to a Jewish
man, but they divorced in 2011.
Israeli Deputy Ambassador to South Africa Ayellet Black told the weekly
newspaper that “Israel has passed a law that, like any rational
sovereign state, it denies entry to those seeking to harm the country. A
BDS-planned mission such as this obviously intends to do just that.”
IN NOVEMBER, Israel implemented a law that blocks any foreign nationals
who publicly call for economic, cultural or academic boycotts of either
Israel or the territory it controls beyond the Green Line from entering
the country.
It is believed Naidoo planned to fly to the region with her mother and
one or two other people and hoped to enter the Jewish state through
Jordan, and that the trip was planned under the auspices of
BDS-affiliate South African Council of Churches.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman told The Jerusalem Post he was looking into
the matter, but did not respond with additional information by press
time.
Naidoo is among several celebrities who have been criticized and
lambasted by BDS and its supporters for showing any pro-Israel
sentiment.
Also last week, world-renowned South African author Zakes Mda tweeted
that he would not use music from DJ Black Coffee for a movie he was
involved with because the DJ had performed in Israel earlier this year.
“There are some great Black Coffee sounds that would be ideal for one of
the films I’m involved in making,” the author wrote. “But now, damn,
there’s this Israel thing! I guess I have to search for some other
music, though it won’t be as apt for the scene as his.”
Mda went on to respond to a tweet by saying he didn’t want the film to
be caught in the cross fire or tainted by such an association.
“A movie is big investment. You don’t make stupid decisions that will
jeopardize its – at the very least – breaking even. You have the right
to make a business decision to use music of an untainted DJ,” he said.
He added, “For me it is also a political decision.”
The author also made his views on Israel clear in a subsequent tweet,
saying that several years ago he turned down an invitation to a book
fair in Israel.
“My family, especially my wife and kids, are very strict about not
buying Israeli products. More so now than ever before,” he concluded.
Earlier this year, following the heavy backlash from his Israel
performance, DJ Black Coffee told South African media that the show was
not meant to be political but helped with his global reach, adding that
it was his third time playing in the country.
The DJ made it clear to his critics that he “is not a political party” and that he was only trying to feed his family.
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