5781 – a year of jabs, Jacob, and Olympic heartache

As the Hebrew year 5781 concludes, here’s a look back at the major events that shaped Israel, South Africa, and beyond in the past 12 months.

The dominant factor in our lives this year was undoubtedly COVID-19. Vaccines were developed in record time, and millions of doses were made, but this didn’t bring the elusive “herd immunity”. Israel became a world leader in terms of vaccinating its population, but the virus persists there. South Africa dithered.

Antivax propaganda, vaccine hesitancy, rich countries dominating the market, slow roll-out, laxness, and mutations into new variants set back the global battle against this deadly modern-day plague. Lockdown and social distancing restrictions curtailed celebration of the chagim and closed down shuls and schools. The post-matric Rage party in Umhlanga in December proved to be a super-spreader, including in the Jewish community. South Africa faced deadly second and third waves. Will we still be in COVID-19’s grip another year from now?

A remarkable achievement in the dying days of Donald Trump’s presidency was the signing of the Abraham Accords on the White House lawns, normalising Israel’s relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Later in 2020, Morocco and Sudan also joined the process. Regular flights between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Marrakesh have commenced, and cultural exchanges have sought to make this a warm peace. Predictably, South Africa fulminated against these developments.

Across the Atlantic, Joe Biden won a close-fought United States election in November, which Trump was unable to overturn through means fair or foul. On 6 January, Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol in a brazen attempt to stop Congress from certifying the election result. Trump survived a second impeachment process over fomenting the insurrection. People speculated about what a Biden administration meant for Israel given the conjoined-twin-like closeness of Trump and former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel lurched to its fourth election in two years in March 2021. Once again, it was effectively a referendum on Netanyahu, who faces charges of breach of trust, fraud, and bribery. This time, however, the opposition cobbled together a motley coalition at the eleventh hour in June to finally oust Israel’s longest-serving prime minister. Naftali Bennett became Israel’s 13th prime minister in June in spite of his party winning only a handful of Knesset seats. Yair Lapid, the foreign minister, is positioned to become prime minister in 2023, but that’s a long way away in the volatile world of Israeli politics.

Israel also faced yet another conflict with Gaza this year. Controversy over evictions in Jerusalem and reaction to Arabs throwing stones on and from the Temple Mount in early May quickly degenerated into almost 4 400 rockets being fired at Israel from Gaza, and strong Israeli relation against Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Israel struck 1 500 targets and destroyed tunnels and buildings housing terrorists in Gaza, many of them unfortunately situated in civilian areas. The Iron Dome missile defence system certainly saved Israel from many more casualties and deaths. When Operation Guardian of the Walls finally ended after 11 days, 15 Israelis and 256 Palestinians had lost their lives (some from rockets that misfired). An uneasy truce exists, with Gazans still sending incendiary balloons over the border to burn Israeli fields, and retaliatory attacks from Israel.

The Middle East conflict also ignited antisemitism worldwide, including in South Africa. Provocative marches and protests against Israel took place in Sea Point and outside Beyachad in Raedene, which houses many communal Jewish organisations.

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng came under fire for his pro-Israel statements, and prospective Constitutional Court Judge David Unterhalter was grilled for his connection to the South African Jewish Board of Deputies by the Judicial Services Commission.

The imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma for contempt of court for refusing to attend the Zondo Commission into State Capture in July proved to be the spark for deadly violence in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Widespread looting led to the destruction of thousands of shops and warehouses, and 337 people lost their lives in South Africa’s worst post-apartheid unrest. Total losses could top R50 billion. The Jewish community rallied to help clean up and provide food and other essentials to communities in need. These events have led to many a serious Shabbat table discussion about the future of Jewish life in this country. Aliyah from South Africa is already at record highs in spite of COVID-19 restrictions.

Important figures in the Jewish world who passed away included Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Rabbi Avraham Tanzer, journalist Suzanne Belling, entertainer Dawn Lindberg, philanthropists Eric Samson and Herby Rosenberg, Holocaust survivor Veronica Phillips, and educationalist Graham Bloch.

The year ended with the Tokyo Olympics, deferred for a year to July-August 2021. Israel had its highest ever medals haul with two gold and two bronze, while South Africa’s haul of three medals – one gold and two silvers – was one of its worst showings. It’s all a matter of perspective.

May 5782 be a better, healthier, and more peaceful year, for everyone.