Your Voice in a World where Zionism, Steel, and Fire, have Turned Justice Mute

 

 

JWA: On the Matter of Translation into Hebrew

 

From: Ibrahim Alloush
Sat, 25 August, 2001

Official Statement from the Jordanian Writers' Association
(JWA): On the Matter of Translation into Hebrew

Having deliberated on the issue of translating Arabic literature into
Hebrew during their monthly meeting on the Fourth of August, 

Having further discussed in dialogues that took place to that end in
the offices of the JWA,

Having reviewed the written contributions seeking to develop a sound
Arab intellectual position on this issue,

The JWA declares that it finds no problem whatsoever with literary
translations amongst the world's languages. On the contrary, the JWA
calls for and supports such translations.  

However, the JWA takes a different stand on the matter of translating
our Arabic literature into Hebrew, the language adopted by the Zionist
entity of the rapists of Palestinian land. That particular type of
translations, seeks to usurp as well that land's heritage, literature,
and legacy past and present.  Hence, while realizing that translations
from Arabic into Hebrew and vice versa have been ongoing since the
middle of the last century, the JWA CONDEMNS in the strongest terms ANY
CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANY ARAB WRITER AND ANY "ISRAELI"
INSTITUTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRANSLATING HIS OR HER WORKS INTO
HEBREW. Such translations can only be categorized as communication
and normalization with the enemy, which the JWA condemns in
unequivocal terms.

The JWA views the current fuss over translation into Hebrew, not as a
matter of translations across languages, but rather in the context of
attempts to create an appropriate environment to establish cultural
relationships between Arab writers and "Israeli" institutions. Such
efforts invariably lead to normalization with the enemy, and turn such
normalization into a cultural status quo. Such efforts enhance Zionist
claims before the world that "Israeli" culture is a natural part of the
culture of the region [which it is NOT]. The JWA, while making its
position on this matter crystal clear, calls on all Jordanian and Arab
artists and writers to boycott ALL calls and mediations to sign
contracts with "Israeli" and Zionist institutions. The JWA calls on
these writers and artists as well to direct their creative efforts
towards serving Arab causes, foremost among which is the new glorious
Palestinian Intifada, and towards diligent works to rid humanity of
Zionism, racism, and their practices.

The JWA
Amman, Jordan