South African author Nathi Ngubane. Picture: Shakirah Thebus
‘From the River to the Sea’ author and illustrator Nathi Ngubane has expressed that censorship of Palestinian voices would only amplify solidarity, following a raid on Jerusalem-based Educational Bookshop (EB) and arrest of its Palestinian owners by the Israeli Police.
The children’s educational colouring book on Palestine was one of the books singled out by Israeli Police to detain the prominent bookstore’s Palestinian owners, Mahmoud Muna and nephew Ahmed Muna.
On Sunday, the popular bookshop frequented and cherished by locals and tourists alike, saw two of its three branches situated on Salah al-Din Street in occupied East Jerusalem raided and ransacked by the Israeli Police.
This prompted immediate and widespread international condemnation and local protests outside the courthouse on Monday.
“It’s deeply concerning to see a children’s book celebrating Palestinian history, culture, and its literary icons being misrepresented in this way… Our book’s purpose was to educate children in South Africa and beyond about Palestine, apartheid, and Palestine’s universal struggle for freedom. There is no content that incites hate or violence,” Ngubane said.
The raid reportedly took place around 3p.m.and lasted for approximately an hour. Morad Muna, Mahmoud’s brother, told the media that the police took anything with the flag of Palestine on it and anything they didn’t like.
“Palestinian voices are still being censored and any support for Palestine is labelled as terrorism. I believe the book has been targeted in South Africa, Jerusalem and elsewhere because Zionists claim the phrase ‘From the River to the Sea’ is antisemitic. Today, even basic solidarity with Palestine is labeled as such,” Ngubane said.
He hoped more places could stock the book so children could learn about empathy, freedom and justice.
“Palestinian voices and stories deserve to be heard globally, and efforts to silence them will only be met with solidarity.”
For over 40 years, EB had cemented itself as an integral part of the cultural and social fabric in Jerusalem.
On Monday, the magistrate ordered another night’s detention and five days’ house arrest. The booksellers have also been barred from entering the bookshop for 20 days. The Police requested an extended detention on suspicion of disturbing the public peace but this was not granted.
Of those who would frequently visit the bookstore included diplomats, writers, journalists, among others. The bookshop also consistently hosts and organises book launches, discussions, film screenings and cultural activities and events.
On the day of the raid, books could be seen strewn across the floor and several books were also taken by the police.
The bookstore contains an extensive range of books on human rights and Palestinian identity, with books written by Palestinian, Israeli and acclaimed international authors.
On social media, Israeli Police said officers in Jerusalem arrested the two suspects “of selling books containing incitement and support of terrorism”.
Police said numerous books were seized, including the From the River to the Sea children’s colouring book. They said the book contained “nationalist content”.
The children’s colouring book by Ngubane with publisher Social Bandit Media was released in February 2024 and has since sold over 13 000 copies. The book can be found in bookstores across the world, namely Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, India, Vietnam, Australia, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Belgium, and France.
Work on the book began soon after South Africa approached the International Court of Justice stating that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza, and was largely the inspiration for the book.
The book contains educational information on Palestine that was compiled through the assistance of Palestinian journalists, as well as parents, teachers and anti-Zionists scholars.
In South Africa, the book has not just been confined to children’s literature but has turned into a rallying call for solidarity with Palestine and education on Palestine, apartheid, colonialism, occupation and annexation of land.
The coloring book aims to educate young children aged 6-10 and older about the key historical events such as the Nakba (Catastrophe) of 1948.
Through his illustrations, Ngubane offers insight into the settler-colonial project by depicting the struggle of displaced families to return to their homeland. The book also covers concepts such as solidarity, sumud (steadfastness) and freedom.
The book celebrates the vibrancy and rich culture of Palestinians and their land, and features literary figures such as Edward Said, Ghassan Kanafani and Refaat Alareer and significant figures in the liberation movement.
Ngubane frequently visits schools across South Africa and
takes part in solidarity and awareness events as an invited guest. The colouring book has repeatedly been on the bestsellers lists in local bookstores in South Africa.
Last year, over 20 artists, writers and academics used the book’s illustrations as template for their artworks which were exhibited at the Desmond and Leah Tutu House, in Cape Town, District Six.
In the face of attacks and calls for the book to be banned by pro-Zionist organisations and persons online, the book would only see an uptick in sales.
