It's Almost Supernatural

Are Jews Disengaging from South Africa?

Are Jews disengaging from South Africa? A deeply introspective article on the response of South African Jewry to the tumultuous times, both past and present, experienced by their country has been published in this month’s edition of the prestigious Jewish student journal the Current. The article, entitled ‘The Beloved Country: Minority Politics and South African Jewry’ has been written by a Jewish South African, Daniel Greenberg, who is currently studying at Columbia University in New York.

Greenberg argues that the South African Jewish experience has been characterized above all else by fear — be it the fear of state sanctioned Anti-Semitism from the racist Apartheid regime in the past or the omnipresent fear of violent crime that haunts the community today. It is this fear that has caused nearly half of this community to emigrate and those that remain to look inward at the expense of all else.

While many mainstream South African Jews, in particular Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, swell up with pride when they talk about the communal institutions they have created here, Greenberg seems to see them in a more negative light as examples of extreme insularity. He cites the Johannesburg suburb of Glenhazel, home to over 4,000 Jews and the hub of Orthodox Judaism in South Africa as the case in point.

‘Each religious organization has established its own Jewish day school in the area. The community has its own volunteer ambulance service Hatzolah (the act of saving), and is now guarded by exmilitia with semi–automatic rifles under the Glenhazel Action Patrol (GAP) program. With all the elements of an autonomous community, and now even a quasi–police unit with the authority to use force, some have characterized Glenhazel as a state within a state.’

Yet try as they might to insulate themselves from the rest of the population, South Africa’s Jews cannot escape the country’s instability. Greenberg refers to the recent murder of high profile Jewish businessman Sheldon Cohen as a prime example.

Faced with this crime epidemic and an unhealthy, one–party–dominated democracy, the leadership of the Jewish community faces various dilemmas. Greenberg laments that they (in particular the South African Jewish Board of Deputies) has dealt with today’s ANC–dominated government much as it did the Apartheid regime, by adopting a policy of pragmatic non–involvement in politics, speaking out only when the Jewish community is directly affected and even then their condemnations are rather muffled.

Much like it did with the Nationalist Party, the current SAJBD attempts to ingratiate itself with the ANC, hoping to curry political patronage. In an interview with Greenberg, Zev Krengel chairman of the SABJD explained his policy clearly, arguing that “Your friends will listen to you. If you make them your enemies, they will not.” While the article claims that this policy has helped to secure Jewish business interests and has enjoyed some success in curbing Muslim anti–Semitism and potential anti–Jewish violence, it also highlights the SABJD’s failure to curb the ANC’s anti-Israel rhetoric and activities.

‘The Beloved Country: Minority Politics and South African Jewry’ is not a pleasant read and will almost certainly infuriate many in this community (particularly the leadership) that like to view the South African Jewish condition through rose tinted glasses. Even I, not exactly the communities biggest optimist, found it slightly too dark. But it does present views that SA Jewry needs to face up to. Perhaps that is the real tragedy of South African Jewry - that this sort of honest and introspective analysis does not exist in the mainstream discourse of our community.

Read the full article here.

Rogue Democracy

In the Washington Post, a scathing attack on our despotic-friendly President, Thabo Mbeki.

The Despots' Democracy

In late April, about the time this e-mail was written, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa -- Zimbabwe's influential neighbor -- addressed a four-page letter to President Bush. Rather than coordinating strategy to end Zimbabwe's nightmare, Mbeki criticized the United States, in a text packed with exclamation points, for taking sides against President Robert Mugabe's government and disrespecting the views of the Zimbabwean people. "He said it was not our business," recalls one American official, and "to butt out, that Africa belongs to him." Adds another official, "Mbeki lost it; it was outrageous." ... Whatever the reasons, South Africa increasingly requires a new foreign policy category: the rogue democracy. Along with China and Russia, South Africa makes the United Nations impotent. Along with Saudi Arabia and Sudan, it undermines the global human rights movement. South Africa remains an example of freedom -- while devaluing and undermining the freedom of others. It is the product of a conscience it does not display.

The article ends with a question whose answer will define the future of this country.

And this debate is clarifying a question across southern Africa: Did revolutionary parties in the region fight for liberation or for liberty? If merely for liberation from Western imperialism, then aging despots and oppressive ruling parties have a claim to power. But if for liberty, those who work for freedom in Zimbabwe must also have their day. So far, South Africa -- of all places -- sides with the despots.

Read the whole thing.

We'll hope to comment on this later.

Kasrils Takes His Eye Off the Ball

South African Minister of Intelligence Ronnie Kasrils has admitted in an interview to SABC Public radio that South African had been aware of the potential for anti-immigrant sentiment to explode into violence. He is quoted as saying "Of course we were aware there was something brewing. It is one thing to know there is a social problem and another thing to know when that outburst will occur."

So the question remains, why if they knew something was brewing the Government in general and Kasrils in particular did not do more to try and prevent it. IFP MP John Bhengu put it well in parliament when he declared: "It is totally unacceptable and, indeed, unfortunate that such a huge calamitous violent episode in our country, which could have been avoided, escaped our intelligence community's eyes."

After weeks of violence in which over 40 people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced, Kasrils still does not know who is responsible for the violence. He has rather embarrassingly admitted that ‘there has not been the kind of intelligence that has been able to, say, pinpoint exact details. Even now, two weeks into the mayhem, there's not that great a possibility of being able to say’.

Even on the possible cause there seems to be a complete lack of understanding on the part of South Africa’s intelligence services. Minister in the President’s Office Essop Pahad blamed it on a ‘right-wing elements’. This view was supported by National Intelligence Agency director general Manala Manzini who throughout last week expounded a third-force theory, arguing old-order forces were pulling the strings and the violence was some kind of plot to undermine the new democracy and dent the country's image. But Kasril on the other hand has argued that the violence was more spontaneous in nature and identified socio-economic factors and xenophobia as the cause.

One can’t help but wonder, in a month where the Minister was heavily involved in anti-Israel activities, whether his precious time would not have been better spent trying to prevent this violent xenophobic outbreak. If only all that effort he put into researching his lengthy article about the 1948 Deir Yasin tragedy, could rather have been focused on exposing the truths about crimes committed by and against immigrants in his own backyard!

Instead of signing and circulating nasty petitions declaring how they who ‘fought against Apartheid can not allow Israel to continue perpetrating apartheid, colonialism and occupation against the indigenous people of Palestine’, would it not have been more useful to have rather sent his fellow cabinet collogues emails urging them to take action against South Africa’s socio-economic problems that after 14 years they have still failed to be significantly addressed?

Clearly after this grand intelligence blunder it’s time for Kasrils to go. But like all good communists when it’s time to assign blame, they always hide behind the collective. As Kasrils put it, ‘it was unfair to single out one part of the government; it was the government as a whole that had to take responsibility.’

So you know what? If Kasrils isn’t prepared to take one for the team then I have a solution: let’s throw the lot of them out. Political change in South Africa is long overdue!

The Consequences of Our Hate

Just over the hill from one of Johannesburg’s most exclusive sanitariums, Carstenhof Clinic, lies the improvised community of Rabbie Ridge, one of the flash points of xenophobic attacks that have gripped the country over the last 2 weeks. Together with a friend of mine (who has been instrumental in the Jewish community’s refugee relief effort), I visited the Rabbie Ridge Police Station where over 500 hundred people who were displaced by the violence are now holed up. In the coming days I hope to write a few posts on what I saw and what I believe can be done to improve the situation.

I would like to start by sharing some of the images with you:

The bread neccessarry for just one more meal.

The victims of our hate

One of the many victims of the xenephobic violence. Beaten up, his house burnt and most of his possessions stolen only because he was thought to be a Zimbabwean.

With his house burnt down and his goods stolen, this courner of a marquee is all this man has left to call home.

Safe for now behind the wire fence of the Police station, these refugees wait anxiously to see what their fate will be.

The response of many South Africans including the Jewish community to this horrible crisis has been extremely heartwarming. But we must guard against donor fatigue. These people still desperately need our help. In particular things like canned foods, can openers, soap, washing power, and blankets are in short supply.

The SA Jewish Board of Deputies is calling for donations to be made via the following collection points.

Union of Jewish Women, 1 Oak Street (off Louis Botha Avenue) - phone 011 648 1053 Jody Beyachad, 2 Elray Street, Raedene - phone Elilzabeth 011 645 2523 or Sophie 011 645 2500 Bet David, 3 Middle Road, Morningside, Sandton - phone Dianne or Glynnis on 011 783 7117 SAJBD Cape Council – Alana Pugh Jones - 021 46 46 746 or alana – at - ctjc.co.za

Money can also be deposited directly into the Jewish Board of Deputy's Alex Relief fund.

Name of account holder: SA Jewish Board of Deputies
Name of Bank: Standard Bank - Killarney
Branch Account Number: 2003 05 190
Branch Code: 007205 Ref:
Please write: "Alex Relief" alongside your name or organganization
Deposit slips can be faxed attention Shirley, SAJBD, 011 645 2559

ANC Endorses Letter of Incitement

I’m a bit late on this one, nevertheless it is still worthy of serious attention. Last week, in response to celebrations of Israel’s 60th anniversary of independence a huge, ANC endorsed, paid-for advert demonising Israel appeared in at least two local newspapers (the Citizen and then the Mail & Guardian).

The letter entitled “We fought apartheid; we see no reason to celebrate it in Israel now!” angers me on so many levels, but none more so than the official endorsement of the letter by the ANC. (The letter is also riddled with lies, spreading the myth for example, that 93% of the land in Israel is reserved for Jewish use.)

That the ruling political party in South Africa should stoop to these childish levels of incitement should be a concern to all South Africans; not just Jews. By officially equating Israel with the evils of apartheid the ANC is questioning the ideological legitimacy of the overwhelming majority of Jews in South Africa. Without that legitimacy, can we expect the ANC to deal with us fairly and equitably?

Ironically, the letter fails in what it sets out to achieve. I can count less than 20 top ANC members who have signed the letter, many of them resigned to the post-Polokwane political wilderness. I imagine that all senior ANC members were asked to sign their name to the letter; most of them obviously refused. Also, public intellectuals such as Adam Habib were contacted. Habib signed – but few others joined him. The problem with petitions and signed letters is that, on your side you only have the names on your list! All in all they only managed to get 57 names and this includes the lobbyists themselves, like Kasrils, Jeenah and Jassat.

Still, the ANC has officially endorsed the letter and this implicates all their members, even though only 3 of the 80 National Executive Committee members agreed to sign.

The first name on the letter is of course no surprise - South African Minister of Intelligence Ronnie Kasrils.

The name that disappoints me most is Andre Zaaiman. He is (or was?) a member of the Presidential Support Unit which advises the Presidency on international conflict areas. He spoke at the SA Jewish Board of Deputies Biennial Conference in 2004 (see: South African Foreign Policy on Israel). He took a question from me where he bemoaned the radically and overzealous stance adopted by the ANC Youth League against Israel. What hypocrisy.

Another name that surprised me is Minister of Safety and Security Mosioua "Terror" Lekota. He spoke at the Jewish Board of Deputies Conference last year and didn’t come across as so hateful and hostile. I guess it just shows how easy it is for our leaders to pull the wool over our eyes. Both Lekota and Andre Zaaiman should have had the courage to tell us to our faces how they feel about the Zionists in their midst.

The logic is quite simple. The ANC (rightly) hates supporters of South African apartheid. If they believe that Israel is an apartheid state then they will hate Israel and its supporters. So if you are a Zionist, let it be known, the ANC officially hates you and would probably prefer it if you left South Africa. If there was no affluence in the local Jewish community, I wonder whether we would still have our place in the South African sun?

Perhaps my alarmist attitude here is slanted by my fury at the way the ANC continues to support the Muslim lobby in their efforts to, not only delegitimise Israel; but to demonise its supporters in this country lending legitimacy to incidents like the recent hateful graffiti at Wits. Is my concern misplaced? Use the comments to let me know. It’s not the first time the ANC has taken this public stance.

As an aside, the ANC should take a long hard look at their friends in the lobby and consider the current xenophobic crisis we are experiencing. In 2001 we had a chance to discuss and analyse these issues at the World Conference Against Racism in Durban. Instead the lobby hijacked the event and turned it into an anti-Semitic hate-fest. Local xenophobic issues were not given the attention they deserved and 7 years later we are all paying the price.

Ronnie Kasrils, Minister of Intelligence / End Occupation Campaign Blade Nzimande, General Secretary, South African Communist Party Zwelinzima Vavi, General Secretary, Congress of South African Trade Unions Ahmed Kathrada, Nelson Mandela Foundation Eddie Makue, General Secretary, South African Council of Churches Makoma Lekalakala, Social Movements Indaba Dale McKinley, Anti-Privatisation Forum Lybon Mabasa, President, Socialist Party of Azania Costa Gazi, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania Jeremy Cronin, South African Communist Party Sydney Mufamadi, Minister of Provincial and Local Government Mosioua Terror Lekota, Minister of Safety and Security Mosibudi Mangena, President, Azanian Peoples Organisation / Minister of Science and Technology Alec Erwin, Minister of Public Enterprises Essop Pahad, Minister in the Presidency Enver Surty, Deputy Minister of Education Roy Padayache, Deputy Minister of Communications Derek Hanekom, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Rob Davies, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Lorretta Jacobus, Deputy Minister of Correctional Services Sam Ramsamy, International Olympic Committee Yasmin Sooka, Executive Director, Foundation for Human Rights Pregs Govender, Feminist Activist and Author: Love and Courage, A Story of Insubordination Adam Habib, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Johannesburg Frene Ginwala, African National Congress Salim Vally, Palestine Solidarity Committee Na’eem Jeenah, Palestine Solidarity Committee Brian Ashley, Amandla Publications Mercia Andrews, Palestine Solidarity Group Andile Mngxitama, land rights activist Farid Esack, Professor of Contemporary Islam, Harvard University Elinor Sisulu, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Andre Zaaiman Virginia Setshedi, Coalition Against Water Privatisation Max Ozinsky, Not in my Name Revd Basil Manning, Minister, United Congregational Church of Southern Africa Firoz Osman, Media Review Network Zapiro, cartoonist Mphutlane wa Bofelo, General Secretary, Muslim Youth Movement Steven Friedman, academic Ighsaan Hendricks, President, Muslim Judicial Council Iqbal Jassat, Media Review Network Stiaan van der Merwe, Palestine Solidarity Committee Naaziem Adam, Palestine Solidarity Alliance Asha Moodley, Board member of Agenda feminist journal Suraya Bibi Khan, Palestine Solidarity Alliance Nazir Osman, Palestine Solidarity Alliance Allan Horwitz, Jewish Voices Jackie Dugard, legal and human rights activist Professor Alan and Beata Lipman Caroline O’Reilly, researcher Jane Lipman Shereen Mills, Human rights lawyer, Centre for Applied Legal Studies Noor Nieftagodien, University of the Witwatersrand Bobby Peek, Groundworks Arnold Tsunga, Chair, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Mcebisi Skwatsha, Provincial Secretary, ANC Western Cape - Owen Manda, Centre for Sociological Research, University of Johannesburg Claire Cerruti, Keep Left NB: Organisational affiliations above are for identification purposes only and do not necessarily reflect organisational endorsement Organisational endorsements: African National Congress Al Quds Foundation Anti-Privatisation Forum and its 28 affiliates Azanian Peoples Organisation Congress of South African Trade Unions Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition End Occupation Campaign Groundworks Media Review Network Muslim Judicial Council Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa Not In My Name Palestine Solidarity Alliance Palestine Solidarity Committee Palestine Solidarity Group Social Movements Indaba Socialist Party of Azania South African Communist Party South African Council of Churches

(Thanks Gary)

The al-Dura Hoax Is Over

Richard Landes is reporting that the French court of appeals has dismissed charges against Phillipe Karsenty.

Karsenty was sued by France 2 for suggesting that France 2 Middle East Chief Bureau Charles Enderlin deliberately lied when he broadcast as fact that Israel had killed 12 year old Palestinian boy Muhammed al-Dura just as the intifada had broken out in September 2000.

Enderlin didn't just suggest that Israeli bullets had killed al-Dura. He claimed that they deliberately targetted al-Dura.

3 pm... everything has turned over near the Netzarim settlement in the Gaza Strip...here Jamal and his son Mohammed are the targets of gunshots that have come from the Israeli position.... A new burst of gunfire, Mohammed is dead and his father seriously wounded.

But now...the Hoax is over. France 2 lied and covered the incident up for almost 8 years by refusing to release the full footage of the dramatic event. From the Jerusalem Post

The French Court of Appeals on Wednesday found in favor of Jewish activist Philippe Karsenty, overturning a lower court decision that he had libeled France 2 and its Jerusalem correspondent Charles Enderlin when he accused them of knowingly misleading the watching world about the death of the Palestinian child Muhammad al-Dura in the Gaza Strip in 2000. "The verdict means we have the right to say France 2 broadcast a fake news report, that [al-Dura's shooting] was a staged hoax and that they duped everybody - without being sued," Karsenty told The Jerusalem Post shortly after the verdict was issued at 1:30 p.m. Paris time.

The propaganda value of the incident was especially useful in South Africa where the Palestinian lobby on university campuses hijacked the South African struggle by equating the al-Dura (hoax) with the very real images of Hector Peterson.

The damage is done and the truth is not likely to reach many people, but it's a lesson to be learned that with great courage the fight for the truth can be victorious.

May Hector Peterson's legacy no longer be corrupted.

Whatever happened that day in Gaza, it definitely had nothing to do with racism or "apartheid" policies, which this South African activist wanted us to believe.

"Our Country is Going Down"

“Our country is going down”.

These are the words of Sunday Times photographer Simphiwe Nkwali whose image of a foreign man being burned alive has been included into a harrowing photo journal entitled Flames of Hate.

Our country is at a crisis point and still the army has not been brought in to calm the violence. The police force has been outgunned in many of the informal settlements where the xenophobic attacks have taken place.

Over 20 people have been brutally killed in a week of xenophobic attacks, where not only foreign Africans, but local South Africans in minority tribes, have been targeted.

These scenes remind me of Rwanda 1994. Not to the scale, and of course this violence is not sanctioned by the state, but as far as intent of the aggressors is concerned, its goringly close.

Simphiwe Nkwali is calling on President Mbeki to declare a state of emergency and to deal with the thugs with the full force of the law. I can imagine the President's response..."Crisis? What crisis?" When you combine that attitude with the ANC President Jacob Zuma's irresponsible chanting of "umShini wami", (which means, "bring me my machine gun") you begin to understand why so many South African's are bemoaning a lack of leadership in this country.

Hopefully both presidents will stand up and prove us wrong.

A reminder to our readers that the SA Jewish Board of Deputies is calling for donations to be made via the following collection points.

Union of Jewish Women, 1 Oak Street (off Louis Botha Avenue) - phone 011 648 1053 Jody Beyachad, 2 Elray Street, Raedene - phone Elilzabeth 011 645 2523 or Sophie 011 645 2500 Bet David, 3 Middle Road, Morningside, Sandton - phone Dianne or Glynnis on 011 783 7117 SAJBD Cape Council – Alana Pugh Jones - 021 46 46 746 or alana – at - ctjc.co.za

An ironic photo. Emphasis on Rwanda is mine.

Campus Corner: When Hatred Comes to Wits

Anti-Semitic graffiti adorned walls and dustbins at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) this week in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the modern state of Israel or as the Palestinians call it, the Nakba (Catastrophe). Swastikas and slogans like ‘Jews Die!’, ‘Zion will Die’ and ‘Jews = Magen David = Nakba’ were scribbled in red paint.

The graffiti appeared after the Palestinian Solidarity Committee convinced officials to allow the graffiti wall to be used to debate the Israeli – Palestinian conflict.

It is unthinkable that in our multi-racial democracy, on one of the country's most liberal universities, such crude racism would be so openly displayed. The graffiti has now been removed but much more needs to be done. Those responsible for the promotion of this anti-Jewish hatred and vandalism on campus need to be found and charged. Moreover a public condemnation from the university must be issued.

The irony of these sorts of ugly incidents is that in addition to inciting hatred against Jews, they only serve to weaken the Palestinian cause. For it gives credence to the argument that pro-Palestinian activism has at its core some element of anti-Semitism.

Perhaps we shouldn't be too surprised when students are able to distribute this trashy incitement on campus.

Related

• IAS Campus Corner

If you see anything that you think we should include on our Campus Corner, be sure to let us know. Our email is at the top-right of this blog.

Jewish Community Offers a Helping Hand

Seeing images of foreign nationals beaten and expelled from their homes in Alexandra this week and listening to the hate-filled callers ranting on 702 about how every evil in this country is the result of foreigners, I could not help but think that this is a small taste of what pre-war Germany must have been like for Jews. What has been particularly distressing is the silence of the leadership of this country in the face of such grotesque racism.

I am very pleased to report that the leadership of the South African Jewish community is standing up to the plate on this issue. They are coordinating a campaign to provide the victims of the recent violence with humanitarian relief. Wendy Khan, National Director of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies has issued a statement calling on the Jewish community to help by donating clothing, blankets, non-perishable foodstuffs. It’s important that we all do our bit to support this project!

In addition to this type of humanitarian aid, a political response is also needed. South Africa desperate needs some sort of anti-Xenophobia campaign. While some foreign nationals may be responsible for crime, many have made a significant positive contribution to this country. In the economic arena alone, the foreign doctors, artisan and teachers are crucial to this country’s future success. The Jewish community is a model of what poor immigrants over 3 generations can contribute to a nation. Thus it would be extremely appropriate if organisations like the SAJBD and Holocaust Museum could spearhead such an education drive.

Letter from SA Jewish Board of Deputies "The stranger that sojourneth with you shall be unto you as the home-born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God" (Vayikrah, 19:34). Over the past few days, thousands of foreign residents in Alexandra have become the victims of xenophobic violence. Many have been injured and many more have been left destitute by the loss of their homes and property. As the historical victims of pogroms and orchestrated mob violence, Jews in South Africa cannot fail to empathize with the plight of those whose only ‘crime’ has been to try to make a better life for themselves in our country. As the Jewish community, we would like to extend a helping hand to our fellow human beings who are in need, and to this end are coordinating the collection of clothing, blankets, non-perishable foodstuffs and any other basic necessities for the victims of the recent violence. We appeal to all members of our community to assist us in this endeavor. Donations can be made at the following collection points: Union of Jewish Women, 1 Oak Street (off Louis Botha Avenue) - phone 011 648 1053 Jody Beyachad, 2 Elray Street, Raedene - phone Elilzabeth 011 645 2523 or Sophie 011 645 2500 Sandton - Bet David, 3 Middle Road, Morningside, Sandton - phone Dianne or Glynnis on 011 783 7117 Kind regards WENDY KAHN NATIONAL DIRECTOR SA JEWISH BOARD OF DEPUTIES

These sentiments were also well captured by this comment posted earlier at IAS.

I Thought We Were All Lebanese?

So where are all the opinion pieces and marches defending Hizballah, claiming "we are all Lebanese now" as they bring Lebanon close to yet another civil war?

Oh, that's right, we are all Gazan now...

• Google News - Lebanon