Cowardice in the face of intimidation stifles discourse

Last weekend, we celebrated Mother’s Day. Our religion and culture brims with examples of powerful and influential mothers, both biblical and historical. From Yochevet, the biblical mother of Moses, whose defiance of a royal decree remains iconic, to Dona Gracia Nasi, the Renaissance-era Jewish leader and mother who leveraged her wealth to secure safe havens for Sephardic Jews fleeing the Inquisition, these women stand as beacons of bravery and maternal protection.

To this lineage, we must add Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Shiri Bibas, Sylvia Cunio, and all the mothers of hostages whose resilience and tenacity have come to define the strength of motherhood in our time. It’s a tragedy that the events of 7 October 2023 and the painful months since have thrust these women into our collective consciousness. Yet, as is our custom during times of simcha, we pause to recognise their extraordinary bravery, leadership, and love, holding them as exemplars for us all. It’s also a moment for us to reflect on the ongoing pain of the mothers whose sons remain in captivity in Gaza.

Last week, an alarming incident unfolded at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) in Cape Town, where Member of Parliament Emma Louise Powell was scheduled to address the G20. The event was disrupted by anti-Israel protesters who aggressively targeted Powell and visiting diplomats, forcing them to flee the venue. This act of intimidation wasn’t just a violation of democratic principles, but a stark reminder of the growing hostility that stifles open discourse.

We are deeply troubled by the thuggish conduct of the protesters and equally dismayed by SAIIA’s response. Its statement merely acknowledges a “disruption”, noting that “[T]he presence of Ms Powell, given her and the DA’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, led to protests and a breakdown of the event due to security concerns.” It further suggests that Powell’s views on the Middle East are “at odds” with many in South Africa, and that SAIIA “should have ensured a diversity of viewpoints”. This reasoning is laughable, as Powell’s address was focused on South Africa’s role in hosting the G20, a subject entirely unrelated to the Middle East or her personal stance on the conflict.

SAIIA’s mission statement commits to advancing a “well-governed, peaceful, economically sustainable, and globally engaged Africa”, with an implied dedication to free expression as a pillar of democratic governance. Yet, its failure to safeguard MP Powell’s right to speak, coupled with a statement that fails to condemn the perpetrators, stands in direct contradiction to these values. As the event’s organiser, SAIIA was duty-bound to protect both the freedom of expression and the physical safety of its guests. Having faltered on both fronts, one would expect SAIIA to offer an apology to Powell, who was unjustly silenced. Instead, its response acquiesces to the intimidation, deflects accountability, and effectively blames the victim.

The scenes of aggression and lawlessness that emerged from this incident demand unequivocal condemnation. The tactics of groups like Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions; South African Jews for a Free Palestine; and the Palestinian Solidarity Alliance are increasingly belligerent and anti-democratic. SAIIA’s tepid reaction only emboldens these fringe elements, legitimising their efforts to suppress dissenting voices. We cannot permit such behaviour to become normalised. As a community, we must stand firm in defence of democratic principles, ensuring that all voices are heard without fear of intimidation.