Decisive action needed to stop xenophobic violence

JEFF KATZ

While it was heart-warming to witness the extent to which our community rallied to assist in ending the crisis, it goes without saying that we would have preferred that such emergency assistance had not become necessary in the first place.

In view of past experience, it follows that in the event of warning signs that a renewed outbreak of xenophobic violence might be imminent, we cannot afford to sit on the side-lines and simply let events unfold. If there is not to be a repetition of past tragedies, effective and timely action is needed.

Following a number of incidents of arson and looting targeting foreign nationals over the past two weeks, there appears to be a possibility that Gauteng may be on the threshold of yet another upsurge in xenophobic violence.

In a press statement, issued shortly before a protest march was due to take place in Tshwane last Friday (which in theory was directed against crime and illegal immigration, but one with clear anti-foreigner undertones), the Board urged the authorities to take decisive action to calm the situation, rather than allowing matters to spiral further out of control.

While noting that political leaders in particular needed to exercise caution and sensitivity when commenting on issues relating to foreign nationals, we stressed that all South Africans, regardless of race, nationality or social backgrounds, had a moral and ethical duty to do whatever they could to defuse rather than further increase existing tensions.

In addition, we deplored the targeting of people solely on the basis of their country of origin, something which is a betrayal of the humanitarian and democratic values on which our society is based.

Here, at least, all of us can and must contribute by condemning incitement to violence and unfounded accusations against our fellow Africans from other parts of our continent, wherever and whenever it surfaces. 

Countering hate with facts and dialogue 

The annual anti-Israel propaganda hate fest known as “Israel Apartheid Week” is almost upon us. It is inevitably an unpleasant time for the community, particularly our university students.

The chosen strategy of the other side has always been to demonise and delegitimise both Israel and anyone who dares to speak out on its behalf, rather than to engage in any kind of genuine engagement with the issues.

Standing up for one’s beliefs in such an atmosphere is always daunting. In response, the community has over the years developed our own campaign that emphasises the importance of dialogue, education and peace activism aimed at finding solutions, as opposed to IAW’s emotive mud-slinging, misinformation and shutting down of debate.

How IAW unfolds this year and what was done to counter it, will probably be the subject of a future column. What I can say now is that as always, SAUJS will be at the frontlines of this battle, and that we are giving them as much practical support as we can.

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