News getting you down? - t - SA Jewish Report
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
t
south african n Volume 23 – Number 12 n 5 April 2019 n 29 Adar II 5779
T h e sour c e of qual i t y co n tent, n ews an d insights
www.sajr.co.za
News
getting
you down?
There’s a psalm for that.
Tehillim, the book of Psalms, is an incomparable work of Divine inspiration that is able
to give expression to any emotion, remove any barrier, elevate any heart. Whatever
your situation, whatever inner connection you need to make – there’s a Psalm for that.
The Tzemach Tzedek, the third Lubavitcher Rebbe said, “If you only knew the power
of Tehillim, you would say them all day.” While “all day” may be unrealistic, a few
minutes a day is not, which is the very idea behind the ‘There’s a Psalm for That’ drive.
With your help, we can get a copy of Tehillim into the hands of every South African
Jewish child and teenager, including adults who cannot afford one.
We are also launching a drive to encourage the saying of Tehillim so that every
Jew can experience the transformational power of Tehillim for themselves - all while
helping to fulfill the Rebbe’s wish that every Jewish home has Torah books.
You can play a meaningful role by either making a donation
or by sponsoring the drive.
Alexis Preller, Gerard Sekoto,
oil on board ink and gouache on paper
SOLD R140,000 SOLD R65,000
Art, antiques, objets d’art ,
furniture, and jewellery
wanted for forthcoming auctions A set of 8 Gothic Revival oak
carved dining chairs
View upcoming auction highlights at www.rkauctioneers.co.za SOLD R60,000
011 789 7422 • 083 675 8468 • 12 Allan Road, Bordeaux, Johannesburg
t
south african n Volume 23 – Number 12 n 5 April 2019 n 29 Adar II 5779
T h e sour c e of qual i t y co n tent, n ews an d insights
www.sajr.co.za
COSATU claims SA Jews have power to change Israeli policy
TALI FEINBERG COSATU is rampant with misinformation and Deputies represents the Jewish community in particular looks after the interests of the Jewish
T
distortion. Many of their leaders and members Cape Town and South Africa at large.” community living in the Western Cape.
he Congress of South African Trade conflate anti-Zionism, anti-Israel, and anti- He added that, for him, delivering the “There is a huge amount of work that still
Unions (COSATU) intends holding an Semitism as they don’t know the difference. memorandum to the SAZF would have been needs to be done in South Africa to lift up
anti-Israel protest outside the Cape Town “Holding South African Jews accountable a confrontational move. Delivering it to the the working class and COSATU, as the largest
offices of the South African Jewish Board of for the actions of Israel is anti-Semitic. SAJBD was a way of reaching out to Jews who trade union in the country, should take that
Deputies (SAJBD) on Friday to put pressure on Their actions normalise anti-Semitism in may want to join the Palestinian cause. responsibility seriously. They simply do not
Jews to change Israel’s actions. the mainstream by using and abusing the Bester added: “We would like to put on record understand that by supporting the BDS
Asked why the protest would be outside the language of human rights to isolate, stigmatise, that no one is blaming anyone here. This is a (Boycott, Divestment , Sanctions) agenda that is
SAJBD offices, which is a Jewish communal and defame Israel and its supporters,” said peaceful picket. We are not violent and do not anti-Israel, they are also anti-Palestine.
organisation and not an Israeli one, COSATU’s Diamond. intend to be so.” “COSATU has a long and dishonourable
deputy international secretary, Zanele record of baiting and maligning the Jewish
Mathebula, responded: “They have everything community and its organisations, so it comes as
to do with Israel – they have defended the
atrocities and attacked activists. They are the
#NoPlaceForHate at IAW no surprise that they have chosen to mark Israel
Apartheid Week in this manner,” he added.
closest thing to Israel in Cape Town.” To give an example, COSATU fully stood
She insisted that “most South Africans that by Tony Ehrenreich, then its Western Cape
Photo: SAUJS Western Cape
are Jewish have dual citizenship, and many have chairman, when he wrote in August 2014 that
served in the Israeli military. Right now they there should be “eye for an eye” retaliation
have a microscopic view of who says what, and against the SAJBD and its members every
they take that person on. They can play a role in time a woman or child was killed in Gaza, says
changing the situation in Israel – they have that SAJBD associate director David Saks.
capability.” “It continues to do so even after the South
She said COSATU was taking on this cause African Human Rights Commission ruling
during Israel Apartheid Week because “the finding him guilty of hate speech. At an illegal
struggle of the Palestinians is similar to our rally outside the Sydenham Shul in February
struggle, although there it is much worse”. 2009, COSATU conveyed ‘a message to the Jews
The Cape Town picket is part of countrywide in South Africa’ that its 1,9 million members
“Palestinian solidarity rallies” by COSATU would target businesses owned by Israel
on 4 and 5 April. In Bloemfontein, members supporters. At a rally in Lenasia the previous
will rally outside the Bram Fischer Building month, it warned ‘the Jews… these Zionist
where the office of the mayor is housed, and in entities’ that COSATU would become ‘impimpis’
Johannesburg they will be outside the United and violently confront Jewish families that had
States Consulate. A possible protest was being members serving in the Israel Defense Forces,”
planned for Israeli or US consulates in Durban. added Saks.
Mathebula said the protest in Johannesburg “COSATU has consistently demonstrated
was meant to pressure the US and “American that it considers South African Jewry to be
Jews” to stop endorsing Israeli policy. In collectively guilty and answerable for what
Bloemfontein, the aim was to encourage their co-religionists elsewhere in the world
moves against Israel among South African is supposedly doing. The fact that they
See pages 3 and 10
municipalities. intend picketing a Jewish communal centre
Israeli StandWithUs delegate Lipaz Ela at Israel Apartheid Week stand on UCT campus this week also suggests that they do not consider the
“This concerted campaign to make South
African Jewry accountable for decisions made in “COSATU advocates self-determination for Despite being a large organisation, COSATU mainstream Jewish community as being truly
another country is reprehensible,” said Wendy Palestinians, yet they deny the Jewish people has a permit for only 200 people to picket at the part of South Africa, but rather choose to treat
Kahn, SAJBD national director. “COSATU’s long their right to self-determination in their historic Cape Town protest. it as an alien element whose true loyalties are to
history of anti-Semitism bears testimony to the and ancestral homeland, Israel. This is anti- Diamond said: “We have engaged with another country. Both assumptions constitute
real intent of their rallies. They are trying to find Semitic.” COSATU to highlight the fact that the SAJBD is classic anti-Semitism, and are all the more
local targets for their aggressive displays. Paul Bester, COSATU Western Cape organiser not a representative of the Israeli government repulsive for being the bogus human rights
“We will closely monitor these rallies and and educator, said the SAJBD had been and are not the correct people to be serving this language in which they are framed,” said Saks.
respond to anti-Semitism and threats where identified as the most probable institution to memorandum to. Diamond said the community need not be
and when they occur.” which to deliver its memorandum. Asked why it “I corresponded twice via email, explaining concerned as the Cape SAJBD was working
The Cape SAJBD’s director, Stuart Diamond, was not being delivered to the Israeli Embassy that the SAJBD is an umbrella organisation closely with the city council and the South
said: “COSATU is using this picket as an or the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF), that serves and protects the civil rights of African Police Service to ensure minimal
opportunity to demonstrate against Israel. Bester responded: “The Jewish Board of South African Jews, and the Cape board in disruption to the community.
Ask the tough questions at this year’s
Great Debate and get the answers.
11 April. Book today, email yanir@sajbd.org
with your name and ID number. sajbd.org
Shabbat times this week 2 SA JEWISH REPORT 5 – 12 April 2019
Starts
17:44
Ends
18:32 Johannesburg
SA condemns US recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan
18:19 19:09 Cape Town TALI FEINBERG went on to say: “Such unilateral declarations mould. But Pretoria’s close ties with Tehran
T
17:31 18:20 Durban constitute a severe setback to the rule of law and Damascus might come into the reckoning
17:50 18:39 Bloemfontein he South African government this week and international norms. when the US considers how to relate to South
went against United States President “The government of the Republic of South Africa going forward.”
17:50 18:40 Port Elizabeth
Donald Trump recognising of Israel’s Africa will not support any unilateral action by Former diplomat J Brooks Spector, who
17:41 18:31 East London
sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Experts the US government that undermines efforts of hails from the US and lives in South Africa,
say this is unlikely to help relations with either creating peace and stability in the Middle East said Trump’s announcement came as a shock
Appliance Repairs on Site the US or Israel. region.” to many, and was seen as being “a little too
ers,
ish wash The Department of International Relations involved in the domestic electoral policies of
D oves
ges, achines, St and Cooperation released a statement on Israel”. In other words, this might be a way to
id M Tuesday saying: “South Africa joins the boost Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at
Fr shing ore
W ble Dryers & m
a international community in expressing the polls.
Tu m Call Jason concerns on the US Administration’s decision “...the US is out of step with the rest Spector said the South African government
082 401 8239 / 076 210 6532 to recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the condemning the move was in line with many
of the world on the Golan.”
FREE QUOTATIONS Syrian Heights.” other countries. He also did not think this
This came after Trump upended decades of would particularly affect South African-US
US policy by announcing – on Twitter – that relations, as it was mainly a symbolic move.
he did not expect Israel to give up the Golan It then called on the United Nations Security However, he pointed out that South Africa
Heights. Council to exercise its mandate in preserving had voted with the US on just 18% of United
“After 52 years it is time for the United international peace and security, and Nations resolutions, meaning they are not in
States to fully recognise Israel’s sovereignty implement its relevant resolutions to take the sync on many topics.
over the Golan Heights, which is of critical Golan Heights from Israel to give to Syria. Although Trump’s Golan Heights comment
strategic and security importance to the State Political analyst Steven Gruzd said: “This is highly symbolic, it will not change much on
of Israel and regional stability!” he wrote on move appears to follow from President the ground. For Spector, this is the curious
21 March. Trump’s approach of acknowledging the aspect of moves such as these – they make a
The Golan is a strategic territory captured realities on the ground, as he did with big statement but don’t actually lead to any
from Syria in the Six-Day War and formally recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. But changes towards peace in the Middle East.
annexed in 1981. The annexure has not been the US is out of step with the rest of the world He added that these gestures have pushed
DECEASED ESTATE recognised by many countries, but few Israelis on the Golan.” the parties further apart, making it more
HOUSE CLEARANCES could ever imagine returning this vital piece of He said South Africa condemning the move difficult for the Trump administration to enact
land. would not help to improve the country’s ties its peace plan.
Entire households cleared Nine months after the start of the Syrian with either Israel or the US. “Israel would be He also mentioned that Trump often
professionally & confidentially. civil war in March 2011, an overwhelming unlikely to surrender the Golan Heights due to announced these decisions on Twitter, at
77% of Israelis said it would not be possible for its strategic importance as high ground, and odd hours, which means “they are not going
We will take the burden off your
Israel to return the Golan Heights. any peace deal with Syria looks far off anyway. through the structures and mechanisms that
shoulders and pay you for it. DIRCO referred to the “unilateral decision” I don’t think this will, on its own, affect the have been there with every other post-war
For a trusted service call of the US as a “serious violation of UN Charter, relationship between South Africa and the president. There is definitely a new ad hoc
Ladislav Miklas on 079 810 8837 International Law (sic) and applicable UN US. South Africa has adopted a generally spontaneity to making such foreign policy
ladimiklas22@gmail.com Security Council resolutions”. The statement anti-Trump orientation and this fits into that decisions.”
Torah Thought
Are you ready for Pesach?
P
esach is steadily approaching. The addicted to certain negative traits and have Do you understand
sights, sounds, and smells of Yom Tov difficulty “breaking free”. the meaning of the
Rabbi Ari
already fill the air of Jewish homes Is this not the modern-day equivalent of litany of biblical Kievman,
everywhere. Schools have been teaching slavery? quotes and rabbinic Chabad’s
kids the four questions, shuls are booming As we begin the Pesach holiday commentary that we Goodness
with holiday studies, shops’ shelves are and celebration of freedom, we are read? If not, perhaps & Kindness
• Videomed Instore • First Aid & Wound Care Centre
stocked with a multitude of fabulous new reminded that the stories we recount it’s time to trade in
• Cholesterol Screening • Breast Feeding Advice
products, and some lucky guests are and the rituals we observe are more your old haggadah for something with
• Vaccinations • Baby Milestones
booked for The Pesach Retreat. about a commitment to the present explanations. Do you know more about the
• Family Planning • Immunisations
The Torah instructs us that in every than reminiscing about the past. exodus now than you were taught as a kid
• Discovery Vitality • Rapid HIV Testing & Counselling
generation we ought to experience the During this time of year, we once in cheder? Are you familiar with the rich
Assessments • Ear Piercing
exodus from Egypt. How can we do so if again reaffirm our obligation to fight significance attached to the many rituals of
580 Louis Botha Ave, Savoy Estate (Opp Nando’s) we’re not slaves today? all forms of bigotry, negativity, and the seder experience?
Tel: (011) 885-1200/1 • Email: savoy@medicarepharmacies.co.za When we read our haggadahs this slavery, whether within or without. Most It’s time to enrich our Jewish
Pesach, let the message not just be one of importantly, we devote ourselves to observance, and tap into the relevant
VEHICLES WANTED
history, but rather let’s experience it as our being positive members of society at holiday messages. There are so many
story. How do we do this? a time when we all crave the priceless resources available today at our fingertips.
Slavery finds many forms and takes blessing of universal peace. A website I would recommend is
on various appearances. In the days of As our Pesach menus continue to ChabadSouthAfrica.org/Passover which
old, it was depicted by a whip toting task expand, diversify, and become more is chock full of holiday information, from
master hovering over a slave with a chain sophisticated, let’s make sure that our practical, how-to guides and deep mystical
wrapped around his ankle. Today, bondage understanding and appreciation of this insights to recipes and games for the
is often found in our jobs, relationships, holiday’s significance progresses at least entire family.
and attitudes, where we find ourselves apace with our culinary prowess. Pesach is coming. Let’s be ready!
Editor Peta Krost Maunder – editor@sajewishreport.co.za • Sub-editors Julie Leibowitz • Helena Nell
Journalists: Nicola Miltz • Tali Feinberg • Jordan Moshe
T h e so u r c e o f q u a lit y c o n t e n t , n e w s a n d in sig h t s
Editorial co-ordinator Martine Bass – editorial@sajewishreport.co.za
Any make, any model, any condition Proofreader Kim Hatchuel – kim@a-proofed.co.za • CEO Dani Kedar – ceo@sajewishreport.co.za • Advertising Britt Landsman: 082 292 9520
– britt@sajewishreport.co.za • Design and layout Bryan Maron/Design Bandits – bryan@designbandits.co.za
Accident damaged vehicles and non-runners also wanted Subscriptions Avusa Publishing (Pty) Ltd. Tel: 0860 525 200 • Board of Directors Howard Sackstein (Chairperson), Herby Rosenberg, Dina Diamond, Herschel Jawitz,
Shaun Matisonn, Benjy Porter. Advertisements and editorial copy do not neccessarily reflect the views of the editor, staff and board of directors. Tel: 011 430 1980.
% Arnold AUTO
Orkin 082 823 7826
AFRICA
The SA Jewish Report subscribes to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate,
fair and balanced. If we don’t live up to the Code, within 20 days of the date of publication of the material, please contact the Public Advocate at 011 484 3612,
fax: 011 484 3619. You can also contact our Case Officer on khanyim@ombudsman.org.za or lodge a complaint on their website: www.presscouncil.org.za
5 – 12 April 2019 SA JEWISH REPORT 3
All quiet on the Israel Apartheid Week front
JORDAN MOSHE AND coincidence that the one year the PSC whether Jewish students who are
Photo: Tali Feinberg
TALI FEINBERG campaigns were negligible is the first Zionists had a place on campus, one
I
year we have not had an anti-Semitic woman said, “I don’t want to answer
srael Apartheid Week (IAW) incident.” that question.” She later added:
in South Africa has been The situation at UCT was much the “If you believe in someone else’s
extraordinarily uneventful during same. “It is almost like there is zero oppression, then no.”
the first half of this week. This is a presence of IAW on campus,” said They said they believed picking on
fact on both the campuses of the Nathan Esra, SAUJS chairperson at Israel was fair, and it was a “deductive
University of the Witwatersrand UCT. “They only requested space for argument” that they should also be
(Wits) and the University of Cape their stand on the protesting against human
Town (UCT), which are ordinarily plaza last week. They
oshe
hotbeds of confrontation and seem to be extremely
heckling. disorganised.” Photo: Jordan M
Instead, IAW was defined this year Although a
by a pervading sense of calm and, in “wall” was erected
some cases, fun on the part of the across the UCT Written on the back of the anti-Israel lobby wall: “From the river to the
pro-Israel side. campus plaza, sea, Palestine will be free”
The South African Union of Jewish only three PSF In contrast, the SAUJS UCT made it look distinctly anti-
Students (SAUJS) had set up its students stood by students on UCT campus Semitic and anti-freedom. As such, it
installation on the Wits west campus. it on Wednesday appeared energised and also looks like a tertiary institution
Manned the whole day by committee afternoon. enthusiastic. At a stand that has lost its academic rigour. Its
members and representatives of the When the alongside the plaza, their reputation may be at stake.”
Israel advocacy group StandWithUs, SA Jewish posters said there was “no Add to this the indisputable fact
the space was geared towards Report asked place for hate” on campus. that Hamas was responsible for
engaging dialogue and healthy why they were Another section allowed starting the most recently witnessed
IAW debate on
interaction. Lunchtime saw a participating Wits campus students to hold up a sign military engagement (flying in the
different event each day, including in IAW, their answers were saying they are Zionist and face of the false narrative broadcast
guest addresses, Israeli cuisine vague and unsure. “The main thing rights violations in other whatever other identity they for the past 15 years that somehow
tasting, and a unity concert. is to raise awareness about what’s countries. choose – for example, “pro-peace”. Israel had started every such
Unusually, not a single event was happening in Palestine… the killing... Asked whether other students The absence of confrontation engagement), and the dampened
disrupted by the opposition, the and oppression...” they said. cared about the issue, they noted this year could be attributed to a mood makes some sense.
Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), They could not provide specific that the response had been quiet. number of issues, said Sara Gon, “I believe all round a climate was
which in previous years had made examples. And when asked where “It’s almost 13:00 on a Wednesday – a policy fellow at the Institute of created that left the BDS-niks feeling
a point of heckling speakers and “Palestine” is, they said it should be usually by now people are screaming Race Relations. “There has been uncertain about their strategy,” said
engaging in confrontation with pro- “everywhere”. Indeed, the back of at each other! I think with everything the backlash against UCT’s attempt Gon. “All that those who usually
Israel attendees. their wall said, ‘From the river to the that has been happening on campus to achieve an academic boycott of support them but are really just
Instead, the few identifiable anti- sea, Palestine will be free.” lately, students are exhausted. It’s a Israel. The UCT council has effectively along for the ride didn’t feel that
Israel students kept to the vicinity The three students said they did lot to carry on your back,” said one kicked the issue aside to decide at supporting IAW was the thing to
of their “wall” installation and not believe in a Jewish state. Asked student. a later date. The claims levelled at embark on.”
hosted very low-key talks and film
screenings. Consequently, the mood
among the supporters of Israel was Downgrade of SA embassy in Israel to go ahead
one of elation.
NICOLA MILTZ ANC in response to their demand and the that on 8 June 2018, South Minister Lindiwe Sisulu
“What we thought was an
resolution they have taken. Africa was elected to a non-
April Fools’ joke evolved into a
The South African government is “We will also look at the legal permanent seat on the UN
fascinating observation about the two
continuing with the downgrading of implications of the agreements that Security Council (UNSC) by
organisations responsible for IAW on
its relations with Israel, International we currently have with Israel, if there 183 votes. This would be valid
campus, the PSC and PSF (Palestine
Relations and Cooperation Minister are any, and any other administrative for the 2019-2020 period.
Solidarity Forum), being virtually
Lindiwe Sisulu said on Wednesday night. repercussions that come out of that. “The increased number of
AWOL,” said Wendy Kahn, national
Sisulu was responding to questions “The first thing that we have done is votes for South Africa was a
director of the South African Jewish
following her address on South African we no longer have an ambassador in signal of confidence by the
Board of Deputies. “Their mangy
foreign-policy priorities and key Israel. We now operate at the level of a international community.
attempts at their annual ‘wall’ raised
international events hosted by the South liaison office, so the liaison officer will “This heralded a new dawn
questions about the future of this
African Institute of International Affairs, deal with all our diplomatic matters in in South Africa’s diplomacy.
hateful week.
which was held at its head office at the Israel.” It provided an opportunity for
“The extraordinary IAW flop
University of the Witwatersrand. She said the ambassador to Israel, a recalibrated engagement with other She said the government had chosen
resulted in nothing short of a
Before a packed hall of ambassadors, Sisa Ngombane, who was recalled nations of the world,” said Sisulu. a theme for the country’s tenure:
celebration of Israel by SAUJS
diplomats, and foreign media, Sisulu said: to Pretoria in May last year, was still “We took the opportunity in September “Continuing the Legacy: Working for a
students. For the past 12 years, I
“We are putting together a programme of officially “ambassador until such time as last year to use our status as observers Just and Peaceful World”.
have spent IAW on Johannesburg
downgrading our relations with Israel in we have adopted fully the resolutions of to attend meetings of the council, even “We will utilise our membership of the
campuses supporting our students
line with the resolutions that were taken the ANC”. though it was not necessary. We did it to UNSC to place emphasis on and prioritise
and monitoring what has generally
by the ANC. We have a programme put Sisulu spoke about South Africa’s role introduce ourselves and to show that we the importance of women, peace, and
degenerated into ugly anti-Semitism,
in place that we will place before the at the United Nations. She explained have a hands-on approach to our work.” security.”
intimidation, and threats. It is no
INVEST IN PROPERTY IN ISRAEL
FROM R5 MILLION REAL
Contact Herschel Jawitz in strict confidence
082 571 1829 | herschel@jawitz.co.za LIFE Real Estate
ON SHOW THIS SUNDAY ON SHOW THIS SUNDAY ON SHOW THIS SUNDAY ON SHOW THIS SUNDAY
BEDFORD PARK | R2.999 MILLION SANDRINGHAM | INVITING BUYERS FROM R 2.399 MILLION GLENHAZEL | R 4 199 990 OAKLANDS | R 4.5 MILLION
8 Linksfield Village. Gorgeous modern townhouse. Great 37 Henry Ave. Asking More. A superbly renovated 3 58 Jennifer Lane. A special north facing 4 bedroomed 22 Victoria Street. A super family home, lovingly cared for
position. Not a thing to be done! Perfect New York style bedroomed, 2 bathroomed (mes) home oozing lots of home oozing character and style. 2 bathrooms(MES) plus and set on 2100m2 of magical garden. Offering 5 receptions,
lock-and-go. Interleading reception rooms, onto stunning character and style. Open plan gourmet kitchen, inviting guest loo. 3 spacious reception rooms leading out onto 2 studies, eat-in kitchen, 4 beds, 3 baths, patio, pool, double
imported kitchen. 3 bedrooms all en-suite to contemporary reception areas, huge covered entertainers’ patio or stunning covered patio. Lovely pool and tropical garden. garage, staff bathroom + 1 bed, 1 bath flatlet. This is one for
bathrooms, onto balcony with tranquil views. 1 Garage, plus 1 reception room. Lovely outside office / flatlet potential. two Gourmet eat in kitchen with separate scullery and walk the must see list! Directions: From Pretoria or African, into
parking bay. Pool in complex. Pet friendly. Directions: Follow lock up garages. Double carport. Excellent security. in pantry. Seperate flatlet. Double automated garage. Off Victoria St.
pointer boards along Club St into Gibb Rd. street parking. Walled and fort Knox security.
3 3 Web Ref: RL48150 3 2 Web Ref: RL47494 Web Ref: RL48862 4 4 Web Ref: RL49385
4 2
Ingrid Hoaten 082 490 6246 Joel 082 926 0287 | Laureen 083 789 0229 Joel 082 926 0287 | Laureen 083 789 0229 Chrissie Hammer 082 568 0440 | 011 880 3550
4 SA JEWISH REPORT 5 – 12 April 2019
UCT boycott motion “being deferred to death”
TALI FEINBERG political will to push it further right said Tami Jackson of Progress SA. but a few. UCT would not benefit Israel, or indeed in any other country,
I
now.” Her organisation has taken up the from such isolation, and neither would contravene outright these
n a strange twist of events, the A second academic, also speaking fight not because they are a Jewish would the people of those individual principles,” said SAJBD National
University of Cape Town’s (UCT) on condition of anonymity, said, “My or Zionist organisation, but because countries,” she said. Director Wendy Kahn.
council decided not to go ahead feeling is that the council probably they want to open up the space for “For more than two years, this “We look to the senate to further
with the decision of its senate to thought it would have been too free speech and debate that has been matter has been tossed around in the endorse and uphold these principles
boycott Israel. It did this by sending radical to reject the senate-approved closed off by radical student politics senate and other bodies with no clear in its future deliberations. Any
the decision back to the senate for motion out of hand. So, it has asked at UCT. resolution. It not only reveals the lack resolutions should reconfirm
further discussion. the senate to reapply its mind and be Jackson pointed out that the of decisive and principled leadership the university’s ethos and its
The university’s senate, made more cognisant of the detrimental council’s comment that it reserved at UCT, but the political apathy and commitment to fairness, justice, and
up of about 300 academics and effects that an academic boycott Aerial view of UCT
administrative staff, voted on could have on the university.”
15 March to pass a motion that the He said that as a result of the
university “would not enter into attention given to the motion, the
any formal relationships with Israeli next senate meeting would probably
academic institutions operating in be well-attended by those against the
the occupied Palestinian territories boycott (which might not have been
as well as other Israeli academic the case at the last meeting), and this
institutions enabling gross human would help to defeat it.
rights violations in the occupied “On the other hand, there is a lobby
Palestinian territories”. group that wants the boycott motion
to succeed, and will do its utmost not
to let it end.”
“This is a way of ‘killing it’ But the lack of clarity from the
without having to say so council led the Palestinian Solidarity
Forum to claim a “significant victory”
openly. This is especially on Facebook. It said, “It is noteworthy
true if the council does not that by council’s resolution, we have
provide very specific and lost nothing, we have only gained
and advanced – not as much as we
limited guidance to direct had hoped, but we have advanced the right to dissociate itself from self-censorship amongst academics.” non-racialism.”
the future debate in the nonetheless! It is an important academics and academic institutions Another organisation, the Rule of The South African Zionist
senate.” step towards UCT adopting the who directly or indirectly support Law Project, said that the motion to Federation’s Ben Swartz and Rowan
academic boycott of Israel. Zionism the violation of human rights was a restrict interaction between UCT and Polovin also applauded the move,
This decision was then sent on to at UCT is weaker now because of this negative move. Israeli academic institutions would saying they welcomed the council’s
the university’s highest governing resolution. That, in itself, is worthy of “If UCT accepts the viability of be unconstitutional. The organisation decision to reject a motion that
body – its council – which was celebration.” this kind of authoritarian control has sought legal opinion on the singled out the Jewish state for
supposed to vote on it on Saturday, Indeed, some are concerned in principle, we are left with a subject to clarify what a publicly- unique censure.
30 March. But council secretary that there is still the possibility of potentially absurd situation in funded university can do. “We call on UCT to irrevocably
Royston Pillay said a number of issues a boycott. “Although the council’s which academics are not free to Meanwhile, the South African reject this campaign of hate against
required clarification before the refusal to adopt the senate’s associate with anyone from a country Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) Israel. We call on the university to
resolution could go to a vote. resolution means that academic whose institutions are suspected of views the step taken by the UCT show courage, dismiss the academic
He therefore sent the resolution freedom has lived to see another ‘enabling’ human-rights abuses. This council as positive. “It endorsed boycott campaign outright, and
back to the senate, asking for “a full day, we also note with concern that would include [according to Amnesty the principles of academic freedom spend its precious time on other
assessment of the sustainability UCT has once again failed to take a International] China, Venezuela, that underpin any credible global pressing issues relevant to South
impact” and said that a “more conclusive step towards protecting Syria, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, top ranking university. An attempt Africa and its student body,” they
consultative process was necessary academic freedom at the university,” Yemen, Turkey, Myanmar – to name to boycott academic institutions in said.
before the matter could be considered
Fight not over for Lithuania activist Grant Gochin
any further”.
The council also said it resolved to
“condemn the atrocities and human-
rights violations perpetrated in the TALI FEINBERG resolute. “I’m not surprised by this verdict. people know what Lithuania is and has always
W
occupied Palestinian territories, and Lithuania is a Holocaust-distorting state... the been. It is consistent. Jews should never
elsewhere in the world” and affirmed hen Grant Gochin took the government’s legal position was that we Jews mistake what we face,” he said.
“UCT’s commitment to academic Lithuanian government to court have ‘no material interest’, in what was done to The Simon Wiesenthal Center’s chief Nazi-
freedom, but reserved the right to in March, he knew he might lose our families,” he told the SA Jewish Report. hunter, Dr Ephraim Zuroff, termed the decision
dissociate itself from academics and the battle. And he certainly lost this particular “That shows the dishonesty and insincerity of of the court “absolutely ludicrous, and an insult
academic institutions that supported one, when the judge ruled in favour of the the diplomatic and financial outreach to Jews. to victims of the Nazis [and] survivors the world
(directly or indirectly) the violation government last Wednesday, saying that [The government’s] real feelings about Jews and over... In Lithuania, Nazi killers are glorified
of human rights and/or enabled the Gochin’s case was “ill-based”. what Lithuanians did to Jews during the war and their bloody past ignored, as if the Jewish
violation of human rights”. But, from the beginning, he knew that losing have been exposed by this case. They have made citizens murdered there are of no concern to the
A senior academic at the university, one battle did not mean losing the war. their real attitudes clear. Jews should no longer country.”
speaking on condition of anonymity, That war is to ensure that the Lithuanian have any illusions about a changed Lithuanian The Lithuanian Jewish Community (LJC)
said the council’s refusal to adopt the government recognises that many of its state.” also expressed deep disappointment and
motion and the fact that it had sent it political and military leaders played an active Gochin says that dismissing a demanded that “representatives of the
back to the senate for consideration, role in the extermination of the country’s case because it is “ill-based” Lithuanian executive and legislative branches
would most likely “defer it to death”. Jews during the Nazi era. does not bode well for respond appropriately and in a timely manner
“This is a way of ‘killing it’ without Furthermore, it is to reverse future foreign investment by condemning this incident of institutional
having to say so openly. This is the dangerous trend of Lithuania and tourism in Lithuania. anti-Semitism, and that the centre take
especially true if the council does calling these people heroes, and “Seeking truth is ‘ill-based’. responsibility and publicly retract the text,
not provide very specific and limited whitewashing this history. Evidence is ‘ill-based’. If a apologise to the LJC for the gross belittlement
guidance to direct the future debate Gochin focused on the actions of business case comes before of the scope of the Holocaust, and apologise to
in the senate.” Jonas Noreika, who is hailed as a hero the court of a foreigner the Lithuanian public for misinforming [it]”.
The academic said that the and martyr in Lithuania. In reality, against a Lithuanian, this If neither of these actions are taken, “the LJC,
statement condemning human-rights Noreika played a key role in facilitating standard of law says that in defence of its interests protected by law but
violations was probably a “face- the massacre of thousands of Jews such a case is ‘ill-based’ and now violated, reserves the right to make sue
saving measure” following the deep in the shtetls of Lithuania, may be dismissed. This [sic] of the defensive measures and remedies
opposition expressed by many council where many South African is a catastrophe for provided in Lithuanian law”, according to the
members to the motion. Jews’ relatives were Lithuania. It is organisation’s chairperson, Faina Kukliansky.
The academic thinks the move to killed. the end of foreign Indeed, Gochin is not alone. Silvia Foti,
boycott Israel will now die down. Although he investment in the granddaughter of the late Noreika, has
“Essentially, it was ‘defeated’ in was expecting that country. The bravely fought to ensure that his role in the
November (when the senate voted the Lithuanian Grant Gochin courts are an arm extermination of Lithuanian Jews is recognised
against the boycott but it was not government to win of government, and condemned.
ratified) and now ‘defeated’ by this case, it was still a they rule as Gochin, meanwhile, said he would appeal
council. No one at the university blow to the passionate instructed. At the case all the way to the European Court of
administration wants this saga to activist. Yet, he remains least now decent Justice.
continue, and many do not have the
5 – 12 April 2019 SA JEWISH REPORT 5
UCT’s lack of principle
I
OPINION
n much the same way as University of Cape those academics and academic institutions that BDS activists (of whom there is no shortage)
Town (UCT) academics took Karl Marx support [directly or indirectly] the violation of to work towards a back-door boycott. The
seriously in the 1970s and 1980s, so they human rights and/or enable the violation of Professor Milton Shain council should have taken an unequivocal and
have now heeded the advice of the less famous human rights”. principled stand. A boycott is an infringement
Marx. “These are my principles and if you don’t This should be of immediate concern. The neighbours since the United Nations (and not of academic culture. Instead, it has fudged
like them… well, I have others,” said Groucho. door to mischief-making is open, and the only Western countries) voted in November the issue. The bottom line is that the council
Groucho would be applauding UCT. Last Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) movement 1947 to partition Palestine (then a British resolution enables UCT to prevent an academic
November, the senate roundly defeated a will surely be smiling. On the other hand, in the Mandate) into a Jewish state and an Arab from engaging with a scholar from a country
motion to boycott Israeli institutions. Debate event of a legal challenge, the resolution might state. In its formulation, Jerusalem was to be deemed to be “enabling” human-rights abuses.
was correctly focussed on principle, and not on not pass constitutional muster. This remains to an international city. But the Arabs refused This could be Zimbabwe, China, or a host of
the intricacies of a hundred-year conflict. Let’s be seen. to accept the decision of the United Nations countries. Of course, we know which it will be.
face it, no one on either side will convince their Many leading UCT scholars are shocked by and, as soon as the British withdrew in May Shame on UCT.
antagonist. Importantly, the senior executive of the turn of events. Even in a country that has 1948, five Arab armies invaded the nascent
UCT formally shared the senate’s majority view. regularly shot itself in the foot, UCT’s actions Jewish state. The rest is history, entangled and •M
ilton Shain is Professor Emeritus of Historical
Less than four months later, the senate – and have raised alarm. Arguably, the senate’s complex, and fraught with arguments on both Studies at UCT. His latest book, ‘A Perfect Storm.
those who attended the meeting of what was decision (and the council’s mealy-mouthed sides. Antisemitism in South Africa, 1930 – 1948’, was
once a serious and august institution – turned response) will cause even greater damage to the The UCT council has opened the way for published by Jonathan Ball in 2015.
on its principles. institution than the events surrounding the
UCT’s council – the institution’s highest
authority – debated the senate’s decision last
#FeesMustFall protests.
And all this has, ironically, been initiated by
Ramaphosa honours veteran SA journalist
O
Saturday. The outcome suggests a stalemate. the Academic Freedom Committee! I kid you ne of the esteemed people who will receive “During the dark years of apartheid, he was at
On the one hand, the council did not have not! Oh Groucho, where art thou now? an order of merit from President Cyril the forefront of exposing the great injustices to
the stomach to endorse the senate’s call for That some individuals have a moral Ramaphosa on 25 April left South Africa which black South Africans were subjected. His
a boycott. On the other, it lacked the ability investment in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is more than 30 years ago, but his love for the special friendship with (Pan Africanist Congress
to support unequivocally the free exchange their right. But for a university to pronounce country has never faltered. founder) Robert Sobukwe and his literary
of ideas. In an obvious fudge, the council has on such a complex conflict is another matter. This man is journalist and author contribution to Sobukwe’s life is part of
now asked the senate to reconsider the matter, Enemies of the Jewish state see the clash Benjamin Pogrund, now 85, who our history.”
possibly in the hope that it will defeat the call to through a South African prism. Jews are alien has been in Israel for decades. Pogrund covered the truth behind
boycott and avoid catastrophic consequences. settlers, the arm of western imperialism. They For some, Pogrund’s recognition apartheid from the late 1950s to
The council ought to have rejected the also believe the academic boycott of South in getting the Order of Ikhamanga 1985 at the now-defunct Rand Daily
senate’s resolution on principle, but it failed Africa aided the demise of apartheid. In that – recognising South African Mail. He brought the words of black
to do so. In what appears to be an obvious case, however, the issue was incontestable. citizens who have excelled in leaders such as Sobukwe and ANC
attempt to appease the anti-Israel lobby, it has Surely the advocates of a boycott must the creative fields of arts, culture, struggle stalwart and former president
introduced its own resolution which, inter alia, acknowledge the fact that there are two sides literature, music, journalism, and sport Nelson Mandela to white readers’
condemns all gross violations of human rights to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – or as they – has been a long time coming. consciousness.
in the occupied territories and (wait for it) say in the arts block on University Avenue, two “This is a well-deserved recognition for a Pogrund has spent many years working
“elsewhere in the world”. This removes the stain narratives. Yes, the occupation has been too truly legendary South African journalist,” said the at creating dialogue between Israelis and
of identifying only the Jewish state. long and yes, the occupation is harsh. But this is South African Jewish Board of Deputies’ head of Palestinians, Christians and Jews, and Jews and
More disturbing, however, is a clause in which an unresolved war. communications, Charisse Zeifert. Jews. Continued on page 17>>
UCT reserves the right to “dissociate itself from Israel has indeed been at war with its
ASK US FOR YOUR
PASSPORT OF
EUROPEAN UNION
REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
Dainius Ambrazaitis
ADVOCATE / PARTNER
Head of the Citizenship Division
at IN JURE Law Firm, Vilnius, Lithuania
I assure you that obtaining your Lithuanian citizenship is possible even if
you have no documentation pertaining to your Lithuanian ancestry or even
if your particular case has been disqualified or rated as not qualified.
ADV. DAINIUS AMBRAZAITIS IS AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS YOUR SPECIFIC CASES
IN PERSON FREE OF CHARGE
Book online: www.LithuanianJews.com April 9-15 in Johannesburg
Email: INFO@INJURE.LT April 16-17 in Cape Town
WhatsApp: +370 600 68454
REQUEST
Call: +27 87 551 0813
A FREE CONSULTATION
Absolutely no upfront Charging upon successful
payment required application only
Direct services – no Nine years experience of
intermediaries are successful professional
involved in the process assistance
15439_Hold JR Ad_200(h) X 131(w)_Final_P.indd 1 2019/03/29 1:23 PM
6 SA JEWISH REPORT 5 – 12 April 2019
Jewish Report Social media enables a fake-news slugfest
south african
I
The source of quality content, news and insights
remember my early years in the newsroom when we’d
Israel Apartheid Week 2019: have some harmless fun thinking up some fake news
story to broadcast on 1 April, also known as April DATELINE:
a damp squib Fools’ Day.
MIDDLE EAST
E
Some of those stories have remained with me. For
very year for more than a decade, universities begin their countdown to Israel example, when I was working as a journalist at the SABC,
Apartheid Week (IAW) when the academic year begins. This week, it is the a news editor asked a colleague of mine to go film an Paula Slier
15th such dreaded week on campuses around the country. art exhibition by Leonardo da Vinci and, if possible, school was reposted many times online. Despite there
For young Jewish university students, it is always something they look forward interview the Italian artist. (Sadly, I remain convinced being no support for the claim and Gantz denying it, the
to with a touch of excitement and a whole lot of trepidation. Just what will Boycott, that this was not an April Fools’ joke, but that the editor story spread.
Divestment and Sanctions South Africa and their student supporters, the Palestine really meant it.) The watchdog found that 154 of the accounts used
Solidarity Committee (PSC), do to make their lives on campus uncomfortable? Will These days, one doesn’t need to wait for 1 April fake names and another 400 were presumably fake. But
the Jewish students be badgered and harassed? Will there be anti-Semitic graffiti to read or watch purposefully falsified information. still, the posts, all of which were in Hebrew, had more
plastered over the campus? Will they be humiliated by anti-Israel activists? Will they We’re living in the age of a fake news industry in which than 2.5 million hits.
be mocked for their views on Israel? disinformation is deliberately spread through traditional And this is the double-edged sword the Israeli
Suffice to say, for Jewish students and their parents, this is rarely a fun time. It is and online media. We need to be vigilant about what we elections, and indeed the information age in which we
stressful and worrying because we never really know what will happen, and it takes read not only once a year, but on each of the 365 days of live, face. One can reach huge numbers of people online
so little to ignite an aggressive hatefest. We have seen it before. the annual news cycle. through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and other such
What is clear from IAW in the past is that the anti-Israel lobby will do and say United States President Donald Trump popularised platforms. However, the same technology still hasn’t
whatever it can to make Israel look as bad as possible. It is all about making Israel the phrase, but “fake news” has been around for managed to stop lies and disinformation from spreading.
look like an apartheid state (as the name clarifies). centuries. And far from helping us sort through what’s Facebook is trying its best. It has been actively
The South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS) – and its expert guests true and not, Trump has muddied the waters by labelling shutting down accounts responsible for promoting fake
brought out for assistance – do what they can to promote discussions and debate any story or news outlet he doesn’t like “fake news”. news. This it did especially in countries holding general
around the Jewish state. In this, they Sadly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu elections, such as Indonesia and India, which are going
attempt to bring clarity and reason to the echoes the tactics of his ally by castigating the police who to the polls later this month.
misinformation that the anti-Israel lobby have been investigating him, and the news media who’ve When it comes to Israel, the social media giant
is putting out there. It is rarely an easy reported on it. Netanyahu doesn’t use a cell phone, has applied a filter that limits who can post political
conversation or debate. More often than so unlike the US president, he doesn’t do late-night advertisements to the Israeli public. Interested
not, it has become heated, ugly, and openly tweeting. However, the Israeli prime minister is not shy parties have to confirm their identity with an official
hostile. of also using the terms “fake news” and “witch-hunt” government-approved ID.
In 2017, the then national chairperson against those he dismisses. This means non-Israelis are unable to take out political
of the SAUJS, Gabriel Zollman, told the There’s a world of difference between not liking news adverts. Every political advertisement has to have a
SA Jewish Report from the University of and deliberately spreading false information. So we disclaimer acknowledging the name of the account that
the Witwatersrand’s campus: “We are find ourselves left to sort through endless fake news funded the advert. Also, an available archive allows users
experiencing the brunt of clear hatred, accounts, Facebook feeds and Twitter posts, mostly on to search for all advertisements paid for by politicians
but our students have been unwavering in our own. dating back seven years.
their commitment. It is hard to tell what Nowhere has the issue of fake news received more But it’s not foolproof, and least of all when politicians
will transpire in the rest of the week, but attention than during political electioneering. Russia are increasingly using social media to reach potential
it is clear that PSC do not endorse our camp’s legitimacy. They do not respect our was accused of deliberately spreading false information voters.
students. They are wantonly damaging our displays and have damaged our banners.” during the 2015 US presidential campaign.
Last year on the Wits campus, students affiliated with the PSC spray-painted That charge, which Moscow has
hateful graffiti around the university. The government has somehow endorsed the consistently denied, claims that people
IAW over the past two years by allowing ministers or ANC honchos to speak at BDS were paid to fill news feeds with false
IAW rallies. stories aimed at sowing distrust in
So, Israel Apartheid Week 2019 dawned on the day after the first anniversary of democracy and helping Trump to win.
the “Great March of Return”, which led to the death of more than 50 Palestinians on Whether true or not, it was later
the Gaza border. When this happened in 2018, there was widespread condemnation revealed that there was more public
of Israel in South Africa, particularly from Minister of International Relations and engagement with the top 20 fake news
Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu and some ANC leaders. stories on Facebook about the elections
So, understandably, we were expecting the worst, both on the Gaza border to than the top 20 true election stories from
Israel and on our campuses. In fact, news last week was that all schools in Gaza 19 major media outlets.
were to be closed on Saturday to get as many children to the border as possible. That The same happened during Brazil’s
didn’t bode well for the anniversary protest. elections at the end of last year. Only four
However, despite tens of thousands of Palestinians amassing on the Gaza border, of the top 50 images that circulated in
it was comparatively calm. political WhatsApp groups were found to
And back here, we were holding our proverbial breath for trouble on campuses be real. This means that 46 out of 50 were
this week, what with IAW almost coinciding with the anniversary. hoaxes or distortions of the truth.
There was another factor that had the potential to add to the volatility of IAW, We learn two things from this: digital
and that was the University of Cape Town’s council voting last weekend on the platforms (Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp)
senate’s proposed boycott of Israeli universities. There was potential for much anger, are hugely important during election campaigns and Gantz has returned attacks on Netanyahu on social
what with the council sending the proposal back to the senate. there’s expansive room for fake news to flourish on these media, claiming the prime minister was behind leaks
But what was expected didn’t happen. platforms. of his private conversations. The former Israeli Defense
There was very little publicity for IAW events or protests, which was unusual. In Israel is no exception. Forces chief is also calling for an investigation into the
fact, other than a press release saying IAW was going to focus on a pan-African front With just days to go before the 9 April parliamentary fake news network, claiming that “Netanyahu is leading
against Israel, there was little hype. election, it’s emerged that a network of hundreds of a campaign of terror on the consciousness of the citizens
On both sides, this was the case. No great speakers coming out to draw the social media accounts, many of which are fake, have been of Israel”.
crowds. No government ministers holding forth about his or her support for or boosting Netanyahu’s re-election campaign online. The two leaders are currently polling neck and neck,
against Israel. This is according to an independent internet although Netanyahu is expected to have a better chance
As I write this on Wednesday, when arguably IAW is almost halfway done, the watchdog, the Big Bots Project, which claims the at garnering the 61 seats needed to form a majority
much anticipated and feared event has turned out to be a damp squib. It was so network posted more than 130 000 times in Hebrew on government.
very quiet on the campuses. It was as if – and I stand to be corrected – people have Facebook and Twitter. (The network has been found to As the race tightens, the campaigning has become
become bored with this annual hatefest in which nobody wins. have no direct link to Netanyahu’s Likud party or any of more personal and nasty, and Israeli pundits have
It appeared over this first half of the week that IAW was old and tired, and literally its staff.) The sole purpose of these posts was to praise termed this the “most disgusting” election in Israel’s
died a quiet but uneventful death. Netanyahu and smear his rivals; sometimes the latter history.
There didn’t seem much anger, enthusiasm, or passion. was done by spreading false information. 9 April has become less about real issues. It’s fast
Why? I cannot tell you. The report found that as Netanyahu’s chief rival, Blue turned into an election about Netanyahu – and whether
I have kept expecting something to change. I kept asking what is going on. and White leader Benny Gantz, became more popular, or not to keep him in office.
Perhaps it is Israel’s ceasefire agreement, or even sheer disorganisation. I guess the accounts worked in sync with each other to discredit For many Israelis, the mere appearance of Gantz and
there could be many reasons. I don’t know. him. his party being able to offer a viable challenge to the
Whatever it is, it does seem to bode well for an on-campus ceasefire and focus on One account, for example, posted the false rumour premier is in itself an electoral advantage. It actually
important things like studying and working together towards a happy campus life. that Gantz was a rapist. Others immediately reposted holds strong potential to attract voters eager to send
I guess the fat lady has yet to sing, as we have a few more days to go before the it until it was picked up by prominent Likud campaign Netanyahu packing.
end of IAW. But I, for one, have stopped holding my breath and am hugely relieved. officials and, eventually, the mainstream public. Israeli law prevents political advertisements from
The same happened with posts about Gantz being being aired on television until two weeks before the
Shabbat Shalom! mentally ill, gay, and even having a mistress. On the elections, so parties have been flooding social media.
Peta Krost Maunder evening before the attorney-general announced his Never before has the latter played such an important
Editor decision to indict Netanyahu, a Facebook post by a US part in polling, bringing with it all the promise and
woman claiming Gantz had sexually harassed her in high pitfalls that the new information age offers.
You can also read
