Say ‘no’ to online racism

JEFF KATZ

The SAJBD was one of the organisations that staunchly supported the condemnation of the racist comments in question, but ultimately it is up to South Africans as a whole to take a stand against this kind of offensive discourse, at the very least by vigorously denouncing it, and by naming and shaming those responsible.

No cause, whether political or otherwise, can ever justify resorting to racism and/or incitement to violence, nor does the right to freedom of expression ever extend to protecting such behaviour.

It is not news to our Jewish community that social media is being used in certain instances to propagate racist views, including incitement to violence. Rabidly anti-Semitic sentiments have become commonplace in such forums, and an increasing proportion of the Board’s time and energy is being expended in dealing with these incidents.

Rabid anti-Semitic discourse is especially prevalent during times of heightened conflict on the Israel front, but even in times of relative quiet, grossly offensive comments continue to surface.

As an illustration, one issue that the Board is now dealing with through the SA Human Rights Commission are Facebook comments by one Maureen Jansen, an attorney from Port Elizabeth, who inter alia has referred to Jews as “monsters” and “cockroaches”, and expressed the view that Jews everywhere “who support Israel by action or silence” should be “exterminated”.

As with all previous cases of anti-Semitic hate speech that the Board has dealt with, or is currently still dealing with, we will pursue this matter through all the appropriate channels and for as long as it takes to ensure that the writer is called to account for her comments.

The year ahead: challenges and opportunities

We are now well into the lead-up to South Africa’s fifth municipal elections in the post-1994 era.

For the 2014 national and provincial elections, the Board conducted a multifaceted election awareness campaign and volunteer drive for our community and, albeit on a smaller scale, we hope to do so again this time round.

In general, I am firmly of the view that if we, as Jews, want to live in a successful South Africa, we need to start getting more involved in the fabric of South African society, be it in politics, social services, education, job creation, human rights activism or other such areas.

We cannot stand back and wait for others to do what needs to be done; rather, we should try wherever possible to take the initiative and find ways in which to positively contribute to improving our country.

• Listen to Charisse Zeifert on Jewish Board Talk, 101.9 ChaiFM every Friday 12:00 – 13:00