Freedom of expression boundaries have been breached

MARY KLUK

The SAJBD can but endorse the standpoint of our government, namely that an end to the violence and the commencement of negotiations is the only way forward if peaceful co-existence between the two peoples is to be achieved. Such talks are currently underway under Egyptian auspices, and hopefully these will bear fruit in the coming days.

One of the things the Gaza conflict has highlighted in South Africa, is the question of freedom of expression, both in terms of people’s right to express their views in public forums and with regard to the boundaries within which they are permitted to do so.

Freedom of expression, even in the most democratic societies, does not extend so far as to allow people to incite violence or overt hatred against their fellow citizens. Unfortunately, over the past month we have seen these boundaries continually breached in this country, with various individuals having gone beyond mere anti-Israel rhetoric to the levelling of overt threats combined with the propagation of virulently anti-Semitic sentiments.

Such discourse has no place in our society, which is underpinned both in law and spirit on the values of non-racialism and intergroup harmony.

There are many outlets through which people can express their views and there is no need for them to resort to hate speech and intimidation against those who do not share them.

The SAJBD respects the right to freedom of expression, but will take whatever action necessary on behalf of its constituency when that right is abused. Thus far, we have responded to a number of such cases, including having lodged formal complaints with the SA Human Rights Commission and laying charges with the police.

Other incidents that have come to our attention are being followed up with a view to finding the best way to deal with them.

Despite the threats and intimidation emanating against them from some quarters, Cape Town Jewry came out in force on Sunday to show their support for Israel. They were joined, as was the case in the Johannesburg solidarity rally, by thousands of others from outside the ranks of the Jewish community. We can indeed take heart from the wonderful and continuous expressions of support that we have received during this time from so many of our fellow-South Africans.

The question of freedom of expression has also arisen within our own ranks in light of the recent statement by several hundred South African Jews criticising Israel’s actions, as well as the much-publicised case of a senior King David learner who expressed a similar position.

The position this grouping has taken is to apportion blame in the conflict in a way that most people in our community vehemently disagrees with. This being said, it is evident that at the end of the day, the desired outcomes are essentially the same, namely that the two peoples must strive to find a way to settle their differences and co-exist in peace.

We must respect the right of people within our community to take a dissenting view, and while others have an equal right to challenge them, this should never be allowed to descend into personal abuse and mud-slinging.

Given how strongly people feel on this issue, this is sometimes very difficult, but I am confident that as a community, we have the necessary maturity to meet that challenge.

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