Your Voice in a World where Zionism, Steel, and Fire, have Turned Justice Mute
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JWA: On the Matter of Translation into Hebrew
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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