Palestinian Coloring Book Removed from South African Bookstore Chain for the Accusations of ‘Children Indoctrination’

 South Africa’s literary world is currently in a state of conflict after a colouring book on the history and culture of Palestine by Exclusive Books, the country’s leading bookstore chain. It has reacted to a censorship move, leading to calls for censorship and anger. 

 The colouring book, “From the River to the Sea” by author and illustrator Nathi Ngubane, published for kids, hasn’t been available in Exclusive Books stores after the SAJBD demanded that Exclusive Books should stop selling it instantly as such a book indoctrinates young children and fosters hostility. 

 This exceptionally provocative decision comes at a time when South Africa is pursuing a campaign of genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The court is equally in the process of restraining the aggression from the Israelis that has close to 36,500 Palestinians dead, 50% of which are plain citizens. 

 On May 30, the SAJBD posted online, stating That such a publication calling for the elimination of Jews from our historical and rightful home, Israel, can be published and aimed at young minds is disgusting. Such campaigns only fuel hatred and prolong the generations of hostility. We demand that this grossly irresponsible publication be stopped immediately. 

 As the author spearheaded the campaign, colouring books were withdrawn from physical stores and the online market of Exclusive Books, which was followed by outrage. Other customers said that Exclusive Books had cancelled previous orders of the book. 

 A customer who interacted with Middle East Eye (MEE) said bookstore personnel told him the book could not be placed on the shelves but could be bought from the store’s stockroom. 

 Unfortunately, the literary world in South Africa is torn apart following a history and culture-couring book on Palestine published by Exclusive Books, one of the largest bookstore chains in South Africa. It has reacted to a censorship move that triggered calls for censorship and anger. 

 The particular colouring book “From the River to the Sea” by author and illustrator Nathi Ngubane, published for kids, is not available in Exclusive Bookstores after the SAJBD demanded that their Exclusive Books stop selling, ‘ as such a book teaches young children and fosters hostility. 

 This exceptionally provocative decision comes at a time when South Africa is already involved in a campaign seeking to retry a case of genocide against Israel at Interpol’s International Court of Justice (ICJ). The court is also in the process of holding in check the aggression from the Israelis, who have nearly killed 36,500 Palestinians, half of which are plain civilians. 

 On May 30, the SAJBD posted online, stating That there is a publication which incites young people to exterminate Jews from our historical and rightful country – Israel – is disgusting. Only hatred is created, and more generations of enmity continue that this shameless publication should be stopped immediately. 

 Since the author initiated the campaign, colouring books have been pulled from Exclusive Books’ physical and online stores, and this has been promptly met with an uproar. Some other customers believed that Exclusive Books had denied all previous book orders. 

 A man who believes in Middle East Eye’s (MEE) publications said that when he went shopping at a bookstore, the personnel told him they could not stock the book but purchase it from their store’s inventory. 

 The expression has been used in the Palestinian solidarity marches and stands for Palestine stretching from the river to the sea; recently, it has been met by protestations from the supporters of Israel stating that the last is an insistence on the eradication of the latter. Nonetheless, Palestinian advocates argue that the phrase advocates for justice and social equity for Palestinians. 

 Ngubane explained that the slogan is not antisemitic, but ‘From The River to The Sea’ is a straightforward call to freedom, human rights, and shared existence. ” She stated her role as a public figure is to educate political youth. 

 Contacts were made to Exclusive Books to get an additional comment; however, this request went unanswered. Thus, the conflict remains the subject of an ongoing discussion regarding censorship, freedom of speech, and representative diversity in literature.