News
Board & Fed angered by Cape Town Declaration
STAFF REPORTER
Avrom Krengel, chair of the SA Zionist Federation and Mary Kluk (pictured left), chair of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies issued a joint statement this afternoon. The Statement read:
“Dear Community Member
“Last week, a ‘Solidarity Conference in support of the people of Palestine, Cuba and Western Sahara’ took place in Parliament under the auspices of the International Relations and Cooperation Portfolio Committee. Regrettably, this proved to be little more than a stage managed show trial, one in which Israel was as usual tried, condemned and sentenced in absentia.
“It was disappointing to note that of all the opposition parties present, only the African Christian Democratic Party spoke out against this flagrant hijacking of the Parliamentary process by special interest groups. We commend the ACDP for taking the principled stand that they did.
“Neither the Israeli Embassy nor the Jewish communal leadership were invited to provide an Israeli perspective. Instead, the entire discussion around the Israeli-Palestinian question was so framed as to provide an exclusive platform for anti-Israel activists. Without exception, those chosen to speak or moderate the sessions are well known for having extreme anti-Israel views, with a number who are involved full-time in actively promoting an international boycott of the Jewish State.
“In addition, a number of those on the programme have a record of overtly antisemitic hate speech. Fatima Hajaig is notorious for having publicly asserted that the United States and other Western countries are controlled by ‘Jewish money power’.
RIGHT: Avrom Krengel
Bongani Masuku was found guilty of hate speech by the Human Rights Commission for, inter alia, saying that Jews who supported Israel should be forced to leave the country and that his organisation, COSATU, would “make their lives hell”.
Marius Fransman, in the course of the past year has generated across-the-board outrage for, amongst other things, alleging that Jews are unfairly benefiting economically at the expense of Muslims and non-white people in general and that its leadership is disloyal to South Africa. In the case of Muhammed Desai, he is on record as having justified the chanting of the slogan “Shoot the Jew” by supporters of his organisation, saying that this was a legitimate part of the country’s culture of anti-apartheid activism.
“A striking feature of the conference was the complete absence of any expression of support for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. None of the speakers explored ways in which the conflict might be peacefully resolved; instead, speaker after speaker took the opportunity to level a string of damning, hateful and distorted charges against Israel, secure in the knowledge that nothing they said would be challenged.
“The SAJBD is in the process of following up this matter with government and the various political parties involved. In addition to conveying our deepest outrage over what we regard as a flagrant abuse of the Parliamentary process, we will be seeking clarity as to how it was allowed to come about and what implications, if any, it has for South Africa’s policy regarding the Middle East question and its relations with the State of Israel.”
Israeli
February 13, 2014 at 7:25 am
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When is our Jewish leadership in S.Africa going to ‘get it’.?
1) It is universally (correctly) accepted that being anti-Israel is being anti-Semitic. In S.Africa this is becoming more and more evident.
2)When arguing against Government policy of Israel, Jewish leaders are indirectly defending the continuous exilic existence of S.African Jews. The only positive influence Jews can over Israel is to encourage Aliyah.
3)Voluntarily remaining in exile is a direct scorning of Hashem’s greatest gift of Love to His children i.e. the re-opening of the gates of Eretz Yisrael after nearly 2000 years of cruel exile. It is incomprehensible that millions of secular Jews/Israelis have a burning love an yearning for their Land, while at the same time millions of God-Fearing Jews prefer to remain in exile.
4)Exile is the ultimate punishment. Our young generation is unaware that no exile was ever good or lasting. S.Africa is no exception. I believe that the words and actions of this government is a Divine \”warning\” for the Jewish community to stop their protests and whining, and to see the writing on the wall.
5) Our Religious leaders should educate our young Jews to the importance of securing their Jewish future in their own Land.
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msyne
February 13, 2014 at 7:37 am
‘what else can one expect from a political process of demogagy where the object of achieving office is self-enrichment and putting forth what the client deems desirable.One should recall that the ANC inn particular always danced to the Soviet piper’s tune and that Iran and th Middle Eastern/Islamic states provide the cash and discordant music.’
Anonymous
February 13, 2014 at 7:43 am
‘The DA has now proven itself to be more concerned with growing the Moslem vote than aligning itself with the morality of support for the Jewish state. The Jewish community should be strongly encouraged to vote for the ACDP – the lone party in parliament that are proven loyal supporters of Israel. We are under attack as a community and the SA Government is making no bones about its antagonism towards the Jewish State. I think that it is time for our Jewish Community organisations to stop pussyfooting around and show more backbone. It is time for our Jewish Community organisations to strongly intervene and show more character – apparently are too scared to rock the boat – this is not the was that Jews under threat have been taught by history to behave. ‘
David Abel
February 15, 2014 at 12:37 pm
‘As the Chairman, Zionist Action Committee of the SAZF Cape Council, I have issued a \”Call to Action\” and the leadership of the SAZF and SAJBD are presently processing a public response following their statement to the Jewish community.’
Israeli
February 15, 2014 at 4:29 pm
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Not only does our Jewish community show little backbone in combating anti Israel/anti-Semitic sentiments, our Religious leaders actually pray for the welfare of those who despise Israel and it’s defenders.
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[Sorry, user, but the rest of this comment had been deleted as it is illegal to use such terminology against a group of people. In Israel it would also be considered hate speech -ED]
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Israeli
February 16, 2014 at 9:25 am
‘Is it not ironic that the most universally vilified government of S.Africa [Comment banned -ED]
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Sorry, user, but I really don’t think these racist views are how SA Jewry think, or would want to be represented. I think these are thoughts best kept to yourself. -ED
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Israeli
February 16, 2014 at 9:30 am
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Can’t wait to see what this \”call to action\” will entail.
David, Perhaps you can give readers a clue.
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Israeli
February 17, 2014 at 6:43 pm
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What I’m trying to say, without being racist, is that never in the history of S. African Jewry has there been such an onslaught of anti-Israel/antiSemetic sentiment by a S.African government, and many N.G.O’s.
I believe that this position will only worsen in time, and must be a incentive for young Jews to seriously consider what future they can have in this country.
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concerned
February 24, 2014 at 6:57 am
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After being an avid D.A. supporter since I was allowed to vote. I have now switched to ACDP who are more honest and say what they believe.
D.A. MADE A MISTAKE – MISTAKES ARE PAID FOR. IN THIS INSTANCE THE PAYMENT WILL BE LOSS OF VOTES.
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Simon
July 13, 2014 at 6:56 pm
‘\”It is universally (correctly) accepted that being anti-Israel is being anti-Semitic.\”
Restating, restating, and restating never amounts to truth nor reality in the face of superior insight or negating information. The reality that you propose depends on two different definitions of antisemitic: an operative definition and an actual definition. The actual definition, that you wish to be implied and inferred, is that any criticism of Jews is antisemitic. The aforementioned actual definition is enforced through the operative definition: that overt bigotry against Jews is antisemitic. The dual definition terminology is a trick and everyone knows all about it. Therefore, your opinion that your dual definition use of the term antisemitic is accepted worldwide is absolutely false.
It’s also clear that Jews are positioning themselves as friends of African Blacks in opposition to whites, while ignoring the slaughter of Afrikkaners. See http://www.justice.gov.za/m_speeches/2013/20130825-hate-speech.html
I wonder what broader, Jew centric anti-white speeches will come down the pike in the USA once whites are a vulnerable minority? The situation in South Africa is providing interesting foreshadowing.’