War of words over book

SA Jewish Board of Deputies defends Exclusive Books' removal of it from some stores.

- Bonginkosi Tiwane

STORY OF PALESTINE: AUTHOR GETS HATE MESSAGES FROM SA JEWRY

A South African author and illustrator is defending himself after being accused of promoting the obliteration of Jews through his colouring book, From the River to the Sea.

"Hate messages came my way. I was bombarded the whole of last week on LinkedIn and Facebook by Zionists. I've read messages stating [that] they will burn the books if they come across them. Another message said they would love to purchase the books and use them as toilet paper," said Nathi Ngubane.

He has also been told that he is not qualified to speak on the Middle East conflict. "They started asking bookstores to remove it from their shelves," said Ngubane.

But he maintained the book is not anti-Semitic. "The phrase is simply an inspirational call for freedom, human rights and coexistence.