Pointless academic posturing

This week marks nine months since 7 October. Our hearts remain heavy as we think of the hostages and all the innocent lives lost that day and in the months since. Though it often seems as though a hostage deal is imminent, it has been heartbreaking to be disappointed time and again. Nevertheless, we continue to pray for the safe return of our brethren and a successful end to this terrible conflict.

Our misguided universities

It seems to be the season for South African universities to make pointless statements on a conflict in the Middle East. These declarations have no tangible impact on the ground, don’t affect the conflict’s outcomes, nor ease the suffering of those affected, and, in some cases, contradict the fundamental tenets of academic freedom that should govern a university.

There are at least 15 ongoing conflicts in Africa, of which two – in Burkina Faso and Sudan –deteriorated last month. Altogether, ongoing conflicts on our continent have displaced an estimated 40.4 million people. What a pity then that our South African universities have managed to avert their eyes from 30.4 million kilometres of blood-soaked African soil in their zeal to demonise the sole Jewish state.

Both the University of South Africa and University of Cape Town made the outrageous and deeply offensive claim that Jews have weaponised antisemitism in defence of Israel. As an academic and the chairperson of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, I reject this assertion with the contempt it deserves. Suggesting that Jews are lying about our own oppression to achieve some propagandist goal reflects how antisemitism is minimised and not taken as seriously as other forms of hate. To quote writer David Baddiel, “Jews don’t count.”

The role of a university is to advance knowledge through the pursuit of truth. The statements put out by these universities include half-truths and contested facts. In this sense, they betray their own mission by addressing these issues from an emotional, one-sided position rather than engaging in finding common ground across different perspectives.

How much better it would be to do what universities are best at, namely engaging with different perspectives and finding common ground.

We have friends

In spite of the posturing of some universities, I’m always reassured by the basic decency of almost all the South Africans I come into contact with. Unlike so many countries around the world, South African statistics indicate that antisemitism has fallen to levels before 7 October. It’s always important to remember that we have many friends among ordinary South Africans. In fact, our friends can be found across many spheres of society, from politics to academia, and our allied faith groups.

As we enter the week of Mandela Day, this feeling of friendship is ever more pronounced. I’m reminded of the many communities in this country with whom we have such close relationships and who have supported us and have been supported by our community in so many ways. I’m grateful as always to those who have stood by me personally and the South African Jewish community through what has a been a very challenging time.