Australia Post Accused of Making Racist Stamps

[icyfroth]

Prominent pro-Palestine blog Australians for Palestine is calling for people to boycott the 60c and $2.60 stamps that feature the Australian Light Horse at the Battle of Beersheba against Turkey in 1917.

Activist Sonja Karkar said she purchased the stamp and "received far more than I bargained for – nothing less, would you believe, than a dollop of Israeli propaganda".

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/06/20/17/26/australia-post-stamps-racist-say-activists#gigy...

Ms Karkar said the stamp is inaccurate as the town of Beersheeba was a Palestinian town at the time.

"This is a really disturbing and incorrect remark," Ms Karkar wrote.

"It is insulting to the memory of Palestinians who were terrorised into leaving their city Beersheba when the newly-created Israel captured it in 1948 and who have never been allowed to return to their homes."

Does anyone know what the Hebrew writing says?

And why is the issue of these stamps jointly with Israel?

[azureline**]

The 1947 UN Partition Plan included Beersheba in the territory allotted to the proposed Arab state as the city's population of 4,000 was primarily Arab, so right or wrong re Israel...... I am not sure....

I find all that hard to decipher, however, I have never believed in the formation of Israel as it was done.

As for the stamp..... should we have to negate the history of our Light Horse .... given it was all done in good faith when we knew no better?

[***super_nova***]

Why in the hell would AP issuing stamps with Israel?  I am not sure about insult to the Palestinians, as this was WW1, But thanks for letting us know; I will not be posting letters with Israeli stamps on it.  Just as well I just got some yesterday with the cows & oranges  🙂

[monman12]

History is not my strong point. However, the stamp depicts the charge of the Australian Light Horse (part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force)  against the defences of Beersheeba which was part of the Turkish Empire at the time. 

[***super_nova***]

The 1947 UN Partition Plan included Beersheba in the territory allotted to the proposed Arab state as the city's population of 4,000 was primarily Arab, so right or wrong re Israel.....

However, in 1917 there was no Israel, it was Palestina, and just because Beerheba was allotted to the Arab state does not mean it has not been occupied by Israel, and the Arab occupants driven out.

[***super_nova***]

History is not my strong point. However, the stamp depicts the charge of the Australian Light Horse (part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force)  against the defences of Beersheeba which was part of the Turkish Empire at the time. 

Absolutely, so WHY on the earth does it have to mention Israel?

[monman12]

"Absolutely, so WHY on the earth does it have to mention Israel?"

Because it is a joint issue stamp, and the countries concerned  are always mentioned. There have been many joint issue AP stamps in the past with  many different countries.

[***super_nova***]

"Absolutely, so WHY on the earth does it have to mention Israel?"

Because it is a joint issue stamp, and the countries concerned  are always mentioned. There have been many joint issue AP stamps in the past with  many different countries.

I haven't seen any other countries, but in any case there was NO Israel in 1917. 

[azureline**]

November 2nd, 1917

The Belfor Declaration signed guaranteeing a Jewish a homeland in Palestine. 

"His Majesty's Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country."

[catsnknots]

Is it right to call it racist?????