Genocidal gravity

Over Shavuot, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies was well represented at various Tikkun Leil events in Johannesburg. I was honoured to be part of a panel discussion at Linksfield Shul, and Gauteng Chairperson Danny Mofsowitz spoke at Pine Street Shul. It was heartwarming to witness the large turnout at these events despite frigid temperatures. We are grateful for the opportunities to engage with the community at events such as these, and we look forward to many more such gatherings.

Last week, it was put to me that the term “genocide” has been diminished by our national government, and so it may be permissible to further use the term and disarm the claim of genocide labelled against the Jewish state. We have witnessed this term being recklessly applied to issues such as gender-based violence; attacks on white farmers; xenophobic violence; and even the government’s perceived inaction on HIV/AIDS in the 1990s and 2000s, all inaccurately labelled as genocide.

In January, I had the profound privilege of attending the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in Poland. Though I’m well-versed in the history of the Holocaust, nothing could have prepared me for the overwhelming reality of standing on the grounds of that infamous death camp. The events that unfolded there, the systematic attempt to annihilate an entire people, cannot be mistaken for anything other than what they were.

Similarly, history bears witness to other deliberate attempts to destroy, in whole or in part, people such as those in Armenia, Rwanda, Cambodia, Bosnia, Darfur, and in the Herero and Namaqua genocide. To diminish the gravity of the term “genocide” is an affront to the memory of the six million Jews and six million others who were singled out, hunted, and murdered solely because of their national, ethnic, racial, or religious identity.

The premeditated and deliberate misuse of this term by the South African government is libellous, and forms part of a broader effort to undermine the severity and significance of the Holocaust in global consciousness. Such misuse only serves to distort history. It’s therefore utterly irresponsible for anyone else to continue this trend.

Let me be clear, it pains me to see the term “genocide” stripped of its gravity, and I will not accept the idea that we should further erode its meaning. We should never lower ourselves to match those who have distorted this discourse, especially if it risks dishonouring the memory of those who endured these atrocities.

I understand completely the anger and frustration of the community as we are time and again met with this false claim. Yet, as Jews, we have a responsibility to uphold the sanctity of this word, never using “genocide” lightly. It carries the weight of profound suffering and loss. Let’s honour that truth with the respect it deserves.