Nathan Cheiman
The SA Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS) has done a remarkable job in countering the lies initiated by students affiliated to BDS.
A portion of Wits University’s ground was hijacked by BDS who spuriously purported to reserve the space for the Orienteering Club. It seems that the Wits management failed to attend to this and BDS was allowed to continue, notwithstanding this fraud.
Most tertiary institutions in South Africa are plagued by IAW and inspired by BDS. The problem is not the protests, but the virulent attacks on Jewish students – physically and verbally.
Shouts of “Shoot the Jew” and “Zionist pigs” are habitually heard from BDS supporters.
In Britain, and America, the same problem manifests itself – sometimes in artwork displayed on campuses or in plays which are produced by BDS sympathisers.
At York University, in England, a group of Palestinian sympathisers put on a play, called “Seven Jews”. Although there was an outcry, the university has yet to condemn the performance.
Coincidentally, at York University, in Canada, a Muslim student painted an offensive picture (offensive to Jews, that is) on a wall and despite protests by students, the authorities refused to intervene. The mural remains.
Paul Bronfman, an alumnus of York and benefactor of substantial note, notified the university of the withdrawal of his support, saying that “this artwork is hateful and anti-Semitic”. Incidentally, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, an alumnus of York University, also expressed his disappointment at the mural.
At Rhodes University some years ago, then Vice Chancellor Saleem Badat supported BDS and it was alleged that university funds were used to fund IAW. Whether this is true or not is uncertain.
There are many Jewish alumni who donate generously and indeed substantially to a host of universities to the tune of millions of dollars and rands. I believe it is incumbent on these donors to be vigilant and examine the university authority’s attitudes toward the welfare of their universities’ minorities of all races and religions.
If universities fail to control racist and anti-Semitic behaviour, donors should cease funding them.
It is ludicrous for Jewish alumni to fund an institution which is patently racist or anti-Semitic.
Northcliff, Johannesburg
