BENJI SHULMAN
South Africa has been a particular target for IAW events since the country is the birthplace of the old hated apartheid regime. Organisers have therefore tried to tie their activism to South African events and rhetoric to give the campaign some kind of credibility.
The goal is to try and brand Israel as an apartheid state so that it will become acceptable to isolate the country. South African Jews therefore have a special responsibility to fight this scourge.
Not only is this important for the rights of Jewish people and those whose rights across the Middle East are being ignored because of this canard, but also for the memory of those who fought for freedom in this country.
The South African Jewish community works tirelessly to make sure that this happens with representatives of the Jewish Board of Deputies, the South African Zionist Federation, the South African Friends of Israel, the South African Union of Jewish Students and the CSO all making sure that the response to IAW was planned and executed effectively.
The main stage for IAW activities is on university campuses, mostly in former Commonwealth countries and in the US. South Africa is no different in this respect and the frontline for the battle for Israel’s legitimacy has fallen to the Jewish students.
A great deal of work goes into countering anti-Israel activity on campus and much of this is organised by the motivated committees from SAUJS. In response to the hate and vitriol that characterises IAW, SAUJS has always responded with both the justice of Israel’s cause as well as calls for dialogue and negotiation.
They have turned IAW on its head with their own version of Israel Awareness Week.
Given the importance of the campaign, the community was privileged to have chairman of the World Union of Jewish Students and other representatives visit the country to witness first hand how the process works.
At UCT an “Abraham’s Tent” was set up where speakers from different faiths and perspectives shared their views on solutions. Included in this were a number of Israeli students from across the spectrum of Israeli society, who talked to their South African counterparts.
They also had a special training session with the Stand With Us organisation before they came. This included South African olim helping them to understand South Africa’s cultural nuances. This helped to break down preconceived assumptions so that real understanding can take place.
It was exciting to see this process in action as one member of the Israeli delegation, who happened to be a Bedouin, was able to seriously engage Muslim South Africans because of their shared faith.
The UCT SAUJS T-shirts said it all: “Let’s talk – If we can’t, how do we expect our leaders to?”
Similar scenes played out across the country where the Israeli students helped to make a bridge between communities. This included the University of Pretoria where the newly-formed SAUJS chapter included Israeli food as part of their programme.
At Wits, a traditionally very active campus, IAW was considerably a less hostile affair than it has been in the past. One of the most popular speakers who came to visit the SAUJS tent was activist Bassem Eid, a Palestinian who has worked tirelessly to bring peace in the region. He also answered questions on student radio station UJ FM via SMS.
Of course this doesn’t mean things didn’t get heated. One of the events on the IAW calendar at Wits claimed that the mayor of Johannesburg, Parks Tau, would be addressing anti-Israel groups at the university. Of course it is unacceptable for a mayor to address such a hostile partisan gathering and SAUJS promptly organised a peace rally on the campus protesting his presence.
In the end, the mayor never cam, but nonetheless the rally continued as the SAUJS students voiced their pride in Israel and their hopes for peace.
Scenes were less wholesome at UJ where BDS protesters, known for their anti-Semitic and disruptive behaviour, stormed a speech by Bassem Eid and forced it to be abandoned. Besides this incident, however, the campuses were far quieter this year with more engagement and fewer incidents of intimidation than had been seen in the past.
One of the real game changers in the fight against IAW this year was the growing number of people in the Christian community who are engaged in supporting Israel.
In addition to more established organisations like Bridges for Peace and the ICE, other groups like Deisi (Defend Embrace Invest in and Support Israel) were extremely active, helping the community in its battle.
Deisi students who recently went to Israel on a fact-finding mission, spoke with conviction and fearlessly supported their Jewish counterparts both on campus and on social media.
Deisi COO Olga Meshoe, was also invited to speak on Wits campus and was accompanied by among others the Bishop of the Shemba tribe, making his presence known with drums and horns.
Not content to just support South African students, Deisi went to the UK. In co-operation with the SAZF and the UK Zionist Federation, Deisi founder and ACDP parliamentarian Kenneth Meshoe, did a live webinar to more than 400 people, giving his perspective as an anti-apartheid activist.
Adding to the international flavour was Africans for Israel who helped organise Father Gabriel Naddaf, a Greek Orthodox Christian who is an Israeli citizen, to come to the country. His message about the plight of Christians in the rest of the Middle East, outside of Israel, was enthusiastically picked up by both the print and electronic media. He was also a major hit on campuses and in churches.
Although much work goes onto combating attacks on Israel by community structures, none of this would have been possible without the help of the community at large. Whether it was by making donations, hosting students in their homes, volunteering, organising dinners, fighting Israel’s cause on social media or simply attending events like the SA Israel Expo or the SAZF Conference, ordinary South African Jews and Christians alike, can be proud of the role they have played in showing the true face of Israel to the world .
nat cheiman
Mar 11, 2015 at 1:23 pm
‘Great news indeed. We don’t stand alone. BDS are going to look like idiots when they play the race/apartheid card.Essentially, this BDS thing looks like Islam vs the World. This is the reality being played out.
‘With a little help from our friends\” we will get on top of all this BDS (anti semitic) stuff and show them up for what they really are………Anti Semites.
‘
Successful Israeli Apartheid Week held in SA
Mar 11, 2015 at 3:16 pm
‘The South African chapter of the annual Israeli Apartheid Week came to an end yesterday afternoon on the streets of Sandton at a robust, diverse and successful IAW closing protest. This year Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW), in its 11th year, was by far the biggest and most sucessful to date. The campaign consisted of over 200 events in more than 45 South African towns and cities.Some event highlights included a packed comedy evening at Wits University and UCT with renowned entertainers from eTV’s Late Nite News crew including Kagiso Lediga, Mashabela Galane, Christopher Steenkamp and others. Another highlight was the \”Rhythms of Resistance\” concert with Lebo Mashile, Tumi Molekane, JR and Reason. Various Government Ministers, Members of Parliament and other politicians also participated in this year’s Israeli Apartheid Week.A meeting with struggle stalwart Winnie Mandela, the Palestinian Embassy, BDS South Africa and IAW representatives also took place during Israeli Apartheid Week. At the meeting Comrade Winnie Mandela was very clear on her support for boycotts and how it was an effective tool in isolating the apartheid regime.The Israeli lobby and the SA Jewish Board of Deputies attempted to undermine the Israeli Apartheid Week campaign by using the \”anti-Semitism\” card. They used the card to try and cancel the presence of various Ministers and Government officials from attending our events but even in that attempt they failed. To be opposed to Israeli Apartheid is not to be anti-Jewish. We welcome this year’s participation of various Jewish organisations and community members including that of a Jewish student from Wits University who spoke passionately at the closing Israeli Apartheid Week protest in Sandton.The IAW SA Team fervently denies the unfounded accusations by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies that any IAW speakers made any anti-Semitic statement at any IAW event. The IAW SA Team never disrupted local Jewish functions during IAW. However, as organisations that support the boycott and divestment BDS campaign against the apartheid state of Israel, we emphatically support protest action against activities and functions which are hosted by and/or are in support of the Israeli apartheid state. Allegations made by the SA Jewish Board of Deputies trying to confuse protest against Israel with anti-semitism are disingenuous and are an insult to real victims of anti-Semitism.The convener of the Israeli Apartheid Week SA Team, Basheera Surty said: \”We’d like to thank all regional conveners and local organisers who were part of the campaign. Also a special thanks to all speakers, musicians, artists and others who participated in IAW 2015.\”‘
SAJBD
Mar 12, 2015 at 12:03 pm
‘The link below is in response to this comment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCTqxzoQqZo
The SAJBD has repeatedly expressed concern that the BDS, by importing the Middle East conflict into South Africa, is creating a climate that encourages anti-Semitism while shutting down any possible and rational debate on Israeli – Palestinian issues.
The BDS demonstration held on Sunday, 8 March 2015, shows exactly how the dynamics of intimidation are at play.
In the video link below, the anger, potential for violence and antisemitism is clear. Speakers on the podium refer to the fact that they would shut down the conference. Supporters of Israel trying to attend the SA – Israel exhibition had to be escorted through the crowd by police to ensure their safety. They were jeered, boo’ed and called sell-outs. The protestors taunted private security, chanting “Takfir”, “Msunu wenja”, “Msunu Kanyoko”, “Go back to you Land”, and sang songs with words and titles such as Makuliwe (Let there be a fight), and it became increasingly clear that some BDS members and Cosas were out of control.
The BDS is fuelling the flames of a fire that it cannot control. They base their hatred on the fact that the South African Jewish community and lovers of Israel generally, do not share the BDS’s narrow and skewed view on Israel.
The South African constitution ensures the rights of its citizens to freedom of association and affiliation, and in this regard, we acknowledge and are grateful of the role played by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department and the South African Police Service on Sunday in ensuring the safety of all South Africans during the protest.
Furthermore, we are encouraged how few protesters arrived, and that some of those present, had no idea why they were there. The majority of South Africans do not support this hate-filled behaviour.’
Myron Robinson
Mar 16, 2015 at 11:36 am
‘So interrupting a speech by Bassem Eid and forcing it to be abandoned at UJ does not count.(See Second Comment) Nor does BDS supporters shouting \”kill the Jew\” The BDS is nothing else but an anti Semitic organisation who are morally & politically bankrupt. If you want to espouse HR then why not attack Syria, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia for its HR abuses. BDS should go & protest in the above countries about Gay Rights & HR abuses. What a bunch of ignoramuses.’