An email from the South African Zionist Federation has been distributed calling on community members to join for a solidarity rally in response to Cosatu's illegal march against the Jewish community.
Yes, it's against the Jewish community - not against Israel. If it were against Israel it would be staged outside the embassy. This is incitement against the Jewish community inside our own neighbourhood because of our political views. It signals a crescendo to the recent pressure that has been placed on the Jewish community in the press gesturing for us to distance ourselves from Israel.
| Dear Community Member
We have learned that, despite the fact that permission to do so has been declined by the authorities, COSATU intends going ahead with a protest rally against the Jewish communal leadership for its stance on Israel. The rally is scheduled to take place outside Beyachad, 2 Elray Street, Raedene, at 14h00 today. In response to this illegal and provocative demonstration, the SAZF will be holding a solidarity rally for Israel within the Beyachad grounds. Because it is taking place on our premises, the rally will be completely legal. We urgently call on as many people as possible to join us in this demonstration, commencing at 13h30 p.m. Please note: There will be no parking in and around Beyachad. We request that you park at Genesis Centre (corner Sandler and Durham Street) and adjacent parking lot, and in Sandler Road. Shuttles from Genesis and Sandler road will be on hand to convey you to Beyachad. |
This signals a new era in South Africa where the snares of the Israel-haters have moved from targetting Israel to targetting local Jews. (Bad Jews that is, the good non-Zionist Jews are exempt and many will probably be involved, like messrs Stephen Friedman and Ronnie Kasrils).
The official press release reads:
|
The South African Zionist Federation deplores the fact that an illegal and highly inflammatory demonstration in a predominantly Jewish area has being threatened by COSATU and the Palestinian Solidarity Committee. Yesterday, the Johannesburg City Council denied permission for COSATU and associated organisations to hold a rally against the Jewish community protesting its stance on the Middle East situation. Despite this, COSATU has expressed its intention of going ahead with the planned rally, which is scheduled to take place outside the headquarters of the Jewish community centre at 2 Elray Street, Raedene, at 14h00 today. The SAZF strongly condemns this blatant attempt to bring the Middle East conflict to South Africa’s streets in this openly provocative way, particularly when it involves a reckless disregard for the country’s laws. In the event of the illegal rally going ahead, it is incumbent on the authorities to take the firmest action against those responsible. In response to this demonstration, the SAZF will be holding a solidarity rally for Israel within the grounds of the Jewish community centre. As this rally is taking place on its own premises, the rally will be completely legal. An urgent call has been issued to the Jewish community to take a stand against this brazen attempt to intimidate it by joining in this demonstration, thereby affirming its steadfast loyalty to the State of Israel against those whose irresponsible actions can only serve to foster disharmony between the South African people. |
Did you go Steve or Mike? What happened?
Posted by: Ariel | February 06, 2009 at 17:39
yeah what happened let us know..
Posted by: Lawrence | February 06, 2009 at 18:44
That first coimment was rather amusing. Sound slike Hitler, not so?
Posted by: John Freeman | February 07, 2009 at 19:26
Hi guys, Bongani says hi to you all as we struggle to liberate Palestine from the racists, fascists and zionists who belong to the era of their Friend Hitler!
We must not apologise, every Zionist must be made to drink the bitter medicine they are feeding our broathers and sisters in Palestine. We must target them, expose them and doo allthat is needed to subject them to pereptual suffering until they withdraw from the land of others and stop their savage attacks on human dignity. Every Palestinian who suffers is a direct attck on all of us!
Posted by: Bongani Masuku | February 10, 2009 at 11:04
You don't leave much room for compromise Bongani. So be it.
Posted by: greenmamba | February 10, 2009 at 14:41
What kind of illiterate ignorant person would incite this kind of hatred against his fellow South Africans?
Jews have always felt for the suffering and the poor. Mandela himself benefitted from being articled by a Jewish firm of lawyers.
He would hang his head in shame to see this kind of childish and awful stuff coming from COSATu.
Is it meant as a spiteful joke?
posted by Reeva Solomon
Posted by: Reeva Solomon | February 19, 2009 at 21:31
ARE THE ACCUSERS AND JUDGES OF COSATU FOR REAL? THEY HAVE ENOUGH ISSUES WITHIN THEIR OWN ORGANIZATION AND COUNTRY TO TAKE CARE OF. MAKING RECKLESS, INFLAMATORY AND FALSE STATEMENTS AND ACCUSATIONS AGAINST FELLOW CITIZENS SHOWS A LACK OF LEADERSHIP, DISRESPECT AND IGNORANCE OF THE ISSUES INVOLVED. TO EQUATE APARTHEID WITH THE RIGHT TO SELF DEFENCE OF ONE'S CITIZENS HIGHLIGHTS THE LEVEL OF IGNORANCE AND BIAS INVOLVED IN THE STATEMENTS ISSUED AND ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE LEADERSHIP OF COSATU.
Posted by: AUBREY MAYER | February 22, 2009 at 17:19
As this rally is taking place on its own premises, the rally will be completely legal.
Posted by: aion kinah | March 02, 2010 at 07:22