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AMMAN: Tributes poured in from the Arab world on Sunday after the death at the age of 90 of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, icon of South Africa’s struggle against the white minority regime and tireless human rights activist Palestinians.

Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his non-violent opposition to apartheid, and then chaired a truth and reconciliation commission to heal the country’s wounds.

He has also spoken fearlessly on a range of moral issues, condemned George W. Bush and Tony Blair for the invasion of Iraq, and openly criticized Israel’s occupation of Palestine and the siege of Gaza.

“I wish I could remain silent about the plight of the Palestinians. I can not ! he said in 2013. “What is being done to the Palestinians… this is the kind of thing that we have experienced in South Africa”.

In 2014, Tutu declared his support for the boycott, sanctions and divestment campaign against the Israeli occupation. “Those who continue to do business with Israel, who contribute to a sense of ‘normalcy’ in Israeli society, are doing the people of Israel and Palestine a disservice,” he said.

Tutu was “a hero in the service of humanity and its causes, a fighter against apartheid, a global human rights activist and an advocate for the oppressed,” said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

“The Palestinian people will remember with loyalty and gratitude their positions in support of the legitimate struggle of our people against the occupation and its racist policies.

Dr Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, general secretary of the Muslim World League, said Tutu’s struggle against apartheid was “a powerful and inspiring voice for truth and justice, and a step in the march of humanity towards equality and human dignity. “

He said: “Archbishop Tutu was steadfast in principle, friendly, smiling, calm, inspiring everyone to carry the message of peace with love, and to face challenges with courage, patience and determination, to strive for the victory of the truth and justice, rejecting all violence and hatred.

Other Palestinian personalities also paid tribute to Tutu.

Ahmad Deek (Director General of the Palestinian Foreign Ministry): “As Palestinians, we are in great need of giants of humanity as this symbol of the struggle against racism and apartheid including apartheid applied to our people. Its loss is a loss for South Africa and Palestine. He was a sincere friend and defender of the rights of our people.

Riyad Mansour (Head of the Palestine Mission to the UN): “He was a stubborn fighter against apartheid. He was humble and he lived all his life in Soweto, the largest and poorest neighborhood in South Africa. He was a sincere friend of the Palestinian people and a defender of Palestinian rights. We will not forget him, his place will be among the greats, like our late leader Yaser Arafat.

Bishop Atallah Hanna of Jerusalem: “He was a friend of the Palestinians and he defended the Palestinian cause. We remember with fondness this man who fought against racism, whether in South Africa or elsewhere in the world, including in the occupied territories. We extend our condolences to his family and friends. I have met him many times and he has always supported the Palestinians. His name will be remembered for his rejection of racism and apartheid, including in Palestine.

Jonathan kuttab (Human rights lawyer and co-founder of the Mandela Institute for Political Prisoners): “He had a constant smile and a very infectious laugh, and a good humor even when talking about serious matters. He was not afraid to upset people, including his own ANC, and spoke out against Israeli policies even when speaking in America and among liberal Jews who didn’t like to hear what he had to say. to say. He said during his visit to Beit Sahour that it reminded him except that it was worse. He was ready to say these things even when the so-called peace process was at its peak and it was not possible to criticize Israel and its occupation.

He combined his humanity with his principles and integrity.

Hanan ashrawi (former member of the PLO executive committee): “Palestine mourns the death of Desmond Tutu, whose humanity and compassion were matched only by his courage and his commitment to principle in our common struggle for justice and freedom. His support for Palestine was an embrace of love and empathy. I am honored to have had him as a friend.

Issa Amro (Founder of Youth Against Settlements in Hebron): “Bishop Tutu fought against apartheid and history will remember him for his fight. We have learned a lot from him about courage and strength in the fight against racism in all its forms. He fought for human rights and dignity not only in South Africa but also around the world, including in Palestine, and this is a great loss for the Palestinian people. He was a role model for us in the non-violence movement. I visited him in South Africa and we applied many of their lessons.

Lamis Andoni (Palestinian-Jordanian analyst): “He was a model, an inspiration and a fighter for freedom and justice in the world. He was an exemplary humanist and fighter for injustice in South Africa against apartheid, and in Palestine against occupation and apartheid. Its compass was freedom and justice for all, regardless of race, religion, sex, class or ethnicity. I hope that many generations will learn from his example of resilience, courage and deep commitment. “

Vera Baboun (former mayor of Bethlehem): “People all over the world, and Palestinians in particular, who seek freedom have lost a friend today. He fought for freedom and justice and he did not hesitate to speak the truth to power. He was a voice for rights and a voice for faith based on the Bible. The fight for freedom will continue after his departure. He was the conscience of the world and the true defender of human rights. Our condolences to all who loved him.