People 21/07/2002

Diplomatic pressures led to police taking criminal action

RAY ABDILLA speaks to Simone Zammit Endrich, about the controversy of her opinion article regarding the Arabs and the Jews, which resulted in the police taking action against her

THE CONTROVERSY about Simone Zammit Endrich’s opinion in a local newspaper still raves on. She is being accused by the police of committing a criminal act by inciting racial hatred against Palestinians. People in the street, politicians and programmes have already been aired on TV and radio stations on the matter.

MaltaToday spoke to Simone Zammit Endrich, an opinionist and columnist, who on 9 October will have to appear in court accused of spreading racial hatred.

"I do not know whether I am living in a democratic country anymore. Everyone can speak freely against the Israelis, against the European Union, against the government but one can't dare to speak against the Palestinians.

"First of all I am not a racist. But I have my views on all that happens around the world. I am in favour of the Palestinians to have a country of their own and live in peace. Why not? They have the right to believe in whatever they want because that is part and parcel of life.

"But what applies for the Palestinians, applies for everyone. In this case the Israelis have the same rights. In this war, which unfortunately looks like to be an ever ending one, the Palestinians are being made as if they were the sole victims."

Ms Zammit Endrich also said that when there is a war between two parties and the scales are turning completely on one side, as if the other is some kind of saint, when that is not the case, someone has to stand up and say so.

"I know that many people believe that the Israelis are not the Satans in this conflict. I believe that both have their right and wrongs. So when I wrote the article I wanted to show some sentiment for the underdog in this matter.

"Yes maybe because I come from a Jewish origin, many might argue that I will always side the Israelis. No, not necessarily. Even when I spoke about the intelligence and cultures of both people, I only said what the mass media and what the facts state about the two countries.

"Why did the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition and the President of Malta take sides in this issue when we are supposed to be a neutral country."

Ms Zammit Endrich said that she is against the European Union, she is against Malta's accession into the EU and will vote against when the referendum takes place. But she has nothing against Europe.

"I do not want to be part of a big bloc such as Europe. I am in favour of Malta keeping it's identity. But that does not make me anti-European. I wrote a lot against Malta's adhesion with the EU and that Malta's place is definitely not within such a big organisation. But does that mean that there is something wrong with the Europeans? No."

Ms Zammit Endrich said that she thinks that the reason that her story made a lot of noise is because she is a woman. "The Arabs do not like it all when they see a woman speak freely for herself. They are not like Europeans who have the right to say what they want," Ms Zammit Endrich said.

Regarding what The Independent had to say about the article, she said that she claimed a right of reply but the replies were never published. She resigned from her post with the newspaper.

As far as the media is concerned she also said that she has received a lot of support. Most journalists simply did not believe that such things happen in Malta, a democratic country with the right of freedom of speech.

Ms Zammit Endrich interest in journalism goes back some six years when together with Dr Emmy Bezzina, she started the Divorce Movement. She always thought divorce is a right that the people should have.

She was also interviewed by the BBC on this subject and had also started to speak about her opinions and movement on Radio Live FM.

"Then the interest in journalism increased and I started writing opinion matters in practically every newspaper. But the reason I am not a full-time journalist is that I can't work long hours being a single mother.

"My girl comes first and foremost. So it's something I have to face. Unfortunately in Malta single mothers haven't got an easy life. Social benefits are in the region of Lm17 a week, a miserable sum of money that one can't live on.

"If a single-mother works she has to pay taxes practically in full and that is not fair. Unfortunately because we are a minority no government has really tackled this issue," Ms Zammit Endrich said.