Daylight celebration draws record crowd

Last week, our community paused to observe Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut, a poignant transition from profound grief to resilient joy that always underscores the deep connection between these emotions in our shared history. This year, however, Yom Ha’atzmaut in Israel was muted by devastating fires raging across the country, an emergency echoed by the significant fires here in the Western Cape. We are immensely relieved to hear that both the Israeli and Cape fires have now been brought under control and no longer pose a threat.

Yom Hazikaron remains a deeply moving occasion, and I extend heartfelt praise to the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) for its outstanding organisation of the event. This year’s keynote speaker, Liora Ben Tsur, delivered an address that was both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Ben Tsur was in hospital on 7 October, having given birth just two days earlier. Her mother, South African immigrant Marcelle Talia, was at Liora’s home on Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha, caring for her two older children when she was brutally murdered by Hamas gunmen, still holding the sweets she had brought for her grandchildren. Despite this unimaginable tragedy, Ben Tsur’s message was one of unwavering resolve and hope, that Israel and its people will rebuild, stronger and more united. Her South African roots resonated deeply with our community, rendering her story not only devastating but also profoundly relatable and stirring.

Yom Ha’atzmaut drew a record crowd, with an estimated 5 000 adults joining the celebration. Again, our gratitude goes to the SAZF for orchestrating this event, which has cemented itself as a cornerstone of our communal calendar. It was a joy to gather for Yom Ha’atzmaut in the daylight, perfectly suited to a midweek public holiday. The overwhelming turnout, encompassing families, students, older community members, and even some from beyond our community, speaks to the unity and strength that has come to define us. I’m equally proud to share that vibrant, well-attended events took place in the Cape and Durban, reflecting the enduring spirit and proud resolve of our community across South Africa.

We were heartened to witness the compelling address by Patriotic Alliance Member of Parliament (MP) Ashley Sauls in Parliament, where he spoke with profound conviction about Daniel Perez, a South African-born Israeli soldier whose body remains tragically held captive in Gaza. The MP then also mentioned Uday Rabie, the 22-year-old Palestinian who was tortured and killed by Hamas after he publicly criticised the group and took part in an anti-Hamas protest in Gaza.

Sauls leveraged his platform to urge our government to reconsider its approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict, advocating for a role in facilitating the safe return of hostages and an end to hostilities. His words resonate deeply with our longstanding appeals to the South African government, which has the potential to serve as a principled mediator yet has adopted a persistently biased and alienating posture. We commend Sauls for his courageous and principled stand, and we earnestly hope his call for a balanced and humane policy will inspire others to join us in pressing for a shift in our nation’s approach to this devastating conflict.