Podcast debunks media’s antisemitic narrative

Combating antisemitism, particularly in spaces where it flourishes unchecked, including in the media, is central to the mission of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD). Regrettably, we have witnessed an increasing number of articles reinforcing anti-Jewish tropes and stereotypes, including in outlets such as News24 and Daily Maverick.

The Board’s media operations are skilfully handled by Deputy Director Charisse Zeifert. Over the years, Charisse has forged vital relationships with media houses. The Board tries hard to ensure that, in spite of the increasing and overwhelming volume of problematic press, the most egregious pieces are responded to, and that, when necessary, more forceful or legal measures are enacted. Despite these efforts, our community often faces obstacles in securing a right of reply. Daily Maverick, for instance, recently imposed unwarranted and irrelevant barriers to publishing a response by our colleague, David Saks, to an article rife with inaccuracies.

Thus, in a creative step, Charisse has launched the Board’s new podcast, The Right of Reply, where experts debunk false narratives, antisemitism, and misrepresentations in the media. Available on our YouTube channel and other social media platforms, this initiative ensures that our voice is heard when traditional avenues are blocked.

Our ongoing archival work further underscores the importance of vigilance. Recently, we uncovered a collection of Der Stürmer newspapers from 1937 to 1939, alongside issues of Die Waarheid, the mouthpiece of South Africa’s Greyshirts – the South African Nazi movement.

The images on the pages of these newspapers are jarring, and a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked hate. They testify to how far we have come as a society, and why we must fiercely protect freedom of expression within a framework that curbs hate speech and bigotry. The SAJBD remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that such toxic ideologies never again take root.

The images of hunger and suffering in Gaza calls on our attention and our humanity. As United Kingdom Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said, “Seeing images from Gaza over recent days, of fellow human beings enduring terrible suffering, we cannot but be moved and feel the need to respond to their pain. Though Hamas’ persistent disinformation and cynical use of civilians makes it difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood, it’s abundantly clear that the children of Gaza deserve responsible leadership and a much better future.”

We cannot turn away from such pain, nor can we ignore the complexities that exacerbate it. While we know all too well that Hamas cynically manipulates its civilian population, hoards aid, and weaponises the suffering of the Gazan people, we cannot ignore the pain this situation is causing. Moreover, identifying Hamas’s complicity in preventing aid from reaching its citizens and the United Nations’ failure to distribute the food and other aid as the core of the problem, doesn’t make the hunger irrelevant. Simply put, there’s not enough food reaching a hungry population. We welcome Israel’s creation of humanitarian corridors and aid drops, and hope that these will increase.

What sparked this conflict and what keeps it raging with continuous suffering is Hamas’s kidnapping of Israeli civilians and its refusal to lay down arms and release the remaining 50 hostages, who have been held in Gaza for the past 664 days.

Zionism and love for Israel requires honesty and a desire for the best possible version of our homeland. Regardless of the cause, I urge all those who can make a difference to recognise hunger as an urgent imperative; act to end it; secure the release of our hostages; and bring an end to this tragic war.