An Interview with Nelson Mandela on the Nightline show with Ted Koppel. (1990)
Here is some of what Nelson Mandela had to say in 1990 about the PLO, Yasser Arafat, and attack on him from Henry Siegman (the Executive director of the “American Jewish Congress”).
Mandela: One of the problems we are facing in the world today are people who do not look at problems objectively but from the point of view of their own interests. That makes things difficult because once a person is not objective it is extremely difficult to reach an agreement. One of the best examples of this is to think that because Arafat is conducting a struggle against the state of Israel that we must therefore condemn him. We can’t do that. It is just not possible for any organization or person of integrity to do anything of the sort.
….
“We identify with the PLO because just like us they are fighting for the right of self-determination.”
We have many members of the Jewish community in our struggle and they've occupied very top positions. That does not mean to say that the enemies of Israel are our enemies. We refused to take that position. You can call it being political or a moral question but for anybody who changes his principles depending on with whom he is dealing, that is not a man who can lead a nation. (huge applause)
Apparently Mister Koppel you have not listened to my argument. If you’ve done so then you have not been serious in examining it. I’ve replied to one of our friends here that I have refused to be drawn into the differences that exist between various communities inside the USA. You have not commented that I’m going to offend anybody by refusing to involve myself in the internal affairs of the USA. Why are you so keen that I should involve myself into the internal affairs of the Cuba and Libya. I expect you to be [unclear]. (long pause) I don’t know if I paralyzed you. (huge laughter – you have to see it to get it!)
….[Break]
Koppel: These people are very much with you. You don’t have to convince them. They already believe in you and your cause, when I was making my observation about the lack of politicism, ….when I was accusing you of the lack of political qualities. I was wondering if you are conscious of the impact you will have impacted to have a great many people who are not here
Mandela: As far as the Jewish question …I’ve had discussions at my own initiative with prominent Jewish leaders to straighten out this affair…Amongst thee people I saw, .[M. named several leaders in SA] We have discussed this question and all misunderstanding was cleared - the question of Yasser Arafat and the PLO I have also discussed the question with Jewish leaders in the USA, very top people like Mister Siegman, and we reached agreement on this question and saw eye to eye. Now, I don’t know where your concern arises. These Jewish leaders themselves are able to determine their own affairs. Nobody else is entitled to say that the Jewish leaders are going to be concerned about yourself. Because I’ve had discussions with them and in those discussions we have reached consensus. … …the position which we take as the ANC I thought we were able to explain it in such a way that it removed the concerns of the Jewish community. If the Jewish leaders have any doubts about ourselves I am prepared to confront them and allay their concerns because they are a very important community both in South Africa og course in the States. I’m prepared to iron out any differences that exist, but they must know what our stand is: Arafat is a comrade in arms and we treat them as such.
Mandela: One of the problems we are facing in the world today are people who do not look at problems objectively but from the point of view of their own interests. That makes things difficult because once a person is not objective it is extremely difficult to reach an agreement. One of the best examples of this is to think that because Arafat is conducting a struggle against the state of Israel that we must therefore condemn him. We can’t do that. It is just not possible for any organization or person of integrity to do anything of the sort.
….
“We identify with the PLO because just like us they are fighting for the right of self-determination.”
We have many members of the Jewish community in our struggle and they've occupied very top positions. That does not mean to say that the enemies of Israel are our enemies. We refused to take that position. You can call it being political or a moral question but for anybody who changes his principles depending on with whom he is dealing, that is not a man who can lead a nation. (huge applause)
Apparently Mister Koppel you have not listened to my argument. If you’ve done so then you have not been serious in examining it. I’ve replied to one of our friends here that I have refused to be drawn into the differences that exist between various communities inside the USA. You have not commented that I’m going to offend anybody by refusing to involve myself in the internal affairs of the USA. Why are you so keen that I should involve myself into the internal affairs of the Cuba and Libya. I expect you to be [unclear]. (long pause) I don’t know if I paralyzed you. (huge laughter – you have to see it to get it!)
….[Break]
Koppel: These people are very much with you. You don’t have to convince them. They already believe in you and your cause, when I was making my observation about the lack of politicism, ….when I was accusing you of the lack of political qualities. I was wondering if you are conscious of the impact you will have impacted to have a great many people who are not here
Mandela: As far as the Jewish question …I’ve had discussions at my own initiative with prominent Jewish leaders to straighten out this affair…Amongst thee people I saw, .[M. named several leaders in SA] We have discussed this question and all misunderstanding was cleared - the question of Yasser Arafat and the PLO I have also discussed the question with Jewish leaders in the USA, very top people like Mister Siegman, and we reached agreement on this question and saw eye to eye. Now, I don’t know where your concern arises. These Jewish leaders themselves are able to determine their own affairs. Nobody else is entitled to say that the Jewish leaders are going to be concerned about yourself. Because I’ve had discussions with them and in those discussions we have reached consensus. … …the position which we take as the ANC I thought we were able to explain it in such a way that it removed the concerns of the Jewish community. If the Jewish leaders have any doubts about ourselves I am prepared to confront them and allay their concerns because they are a very important community both in South Africa og course in the States. I’m prepared to iron out any differences that exist, but they must know what our stand is: Arafat is a comrade in arms and we treat them as such.