SA JEWRY THE GOOD NEWS • Low levels of antisemitism – in numbers – in nature • Low assimilation rates • No threats to religious practice – Schita, brit mila, etc. • Religious tolerance
SA JEWRY THE BAD NEWS (the challenges) • Israel Apartheid Analogy • Boycott Divestment Sanctions(BDS) • Intimidation
ISRAEL APARTHEID ANALOGY
ISRAEL APARTHEID ANALOGY TUTU “I’ve been deeply distressed in my visit to the Holy Land; it reminded me so much of what happened to us Black people in South Africa” (2012) SACC … remember that Israel remained the single supporter of apartheid when the rest of the world implemented economic sanctions, boycotts and divestments to force change in South Africa … that it shared and continues to share a similarity with the old South Africa in implementing apartheid where all non-Jews of Palestine are discriminated against, displaced of their land and homes, and subjected to refugee camps and a permanent state of violent military rule. COSATU The members of COSATU know what racism is; we lived with it and fought against it for decades while the SAZF and SAJBD supported the Apartheid state in South Africa, just as they uncritically support Apartheid in Israel. ACHMAT KATHRADA As a South African who has lived and suffered under Apartheid and spent nearly thirty years of my adult life in its jails for resisting it … l am deeply convinced that that the Palestinians are experiencing life akin to - and in many respects far worse than – what we had under Apartheid in South Africa.
MANDELA QUOTES “’Our Freedom is incomplete without the Freedom of the Palestinians, [without the resolution of conflicts in East Timor, the Sudan and other places]". “I cannot conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states do not recognize Israel, within secure borders.” Nelson Mandela (Associated Press, October 19, 1999) “we recognize the legitimacy of Palestinian nationalism just as we recognize the legitimacy of the Zionism as a Jewish nationalism. We insist on the right of the state of Israel to exist within secure borders but with equal vigor support the Palestinian right to national self- determination”.
BDS SCORECARD ACADEMIC BOYCOTT 2011 UJ/Ben Severing of Institutional relationship Gurion Development of Departmental projects - ongoing 2013 Wits SRC boycott resolution. University, convocation distancing themselves from the SRC and their resolution Storming of Reshef Concert – resulting in Zamir Concert and disciplinary processes Commitment by VC to creating `safe spaces’ 2014 UCT SRC boycott resolution. VC says no to academic boycotts. “The day we ban people from speaking on our campus because we do not agree with their politics is the day we sacrifice our commitment to academic freedom…” Max Price 2014 Rhodes Rhodes University upholds the constitutionally enshrined rights of academic freedom and freedom of speech. Rhodes is an intellectual space for all, and a home for all. We encourage academics and students to debate vigorously on any issue without excluding others from the process of creating knowledge and uncovering truth.
BDS SCORECARD ECONOMIC BOYCOTTS Date Issue Outcome 2011/2 Labeling Govt Gazette notice re labeling of goods from OPT Following on numerous written submissions, verbal submissions in parliament, initiation of legal processes, local and international pressure, marches on DTI offices, ongoing meetings with the Presidency – SA Jewry suggested compromise accepted and cabinet decision changed to reflect labeling of “ Products of West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza”. 2012/3/4 Action Retailers such as Reggies, Dischem and more recently against Woolworths have been targeted for protests and boycott. retailers In the case of Woolworths there has been limited traction. 2014 G4S/ These campaigns are weak but ongoing Sodastream
BDS SCORECARD POLITICAL BOYCOTT Date Issue Outcome 2012- Travel Ban 2012 govt people banned from traveling to Israel. DM Ebrahim 2014 saying, “we strongly discourage South Africans from going there [Israel]”. It was clarified this only applied to Govt people. Minister Nkoana Mashabane confirms that inter- ministerial visits to Israel on hold till progress made in peace process 2013 Cabinet issues statement, “ Government has not imposed a ban on travel to Israel by government officials.” 2014 there still seems to be a ban on govt. officials travelling to Israel for non peace related activities. 2014 Solidarity Formulates CT declaration naming Israel an Apartheid State Conference and supporting BDS. Through major advocacy efforts especially through the ANC this was transformed into fairer resolution. 2014 Reaction to ANC statement comparing Israel’s actions to Nazis. Gaza Govt. refused to expel/recall Ambassadors, peace envoys, statements (DIRCO & Presidency) show some level of balance.
INTIMIDATION • Physical Intimidation(Reshef/Yom Ha’atzmaut ) • Leads to creation of a `secret boycott’
Government Statements Initial DIRCO Statement Acknowledgement of Rocket fire into Israel and “The lasting solution to the Middle East problem lies in serious and genuine negotiations involving all parties” Zuma comments at budget speech Both sides responsible to end the conflict, only solution lies in, “serious and genuine negotiations involving all parties and “This is not the time to apportion blame….” Envoy report back Zuma’s envoys delivered messages to both sides to agree to a ceasefire and resume negotiations. DTI & Zuma Statements in Washington DTI confirmed that SA had no plans to impose trade restrictions on Israel and President Zuma included in his speech condemnation of the “killing of Israeli civilians by Hamas”. DM Ramaphosa at NCOP Applauded the ceasefire and committed SA government’s involvement in the negotiation process through their envoys.
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