Jewish Board Raises Concerns Over Pro-Palestine Views of New Political Party

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) has expressed concern over the pro-Palestine views and alleged antisemitic defamation by senior leaders of the political newcomer Rise Mzansi ahead of the South African general election.

The SAJBD believes there are biased views coming from many political parties, including Rise Mzansi, some of which amount to "antisemitic defamation."

The SAJBD has raised questions about the senior party leaders of Rise Mzansi and their stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The Board said it was "deeply concerned" by the "anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric" from Rise Mzansi leaders, which it described as "defamatory and inflammatory." The Board stated that it would be monitoring the situation closely and would take appropriate action if necessary to address the "concerning developments."

Why this matters: The concerns raised by the SAJBD highlight the ongoing tensions and debates surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict in South African politics. The stance taken by political parties on this issue can have significant implications for their support among different communities and the overall political landscape in the country.

In a related development, more than 20 pharmacies in Cape Town have joined a Healthcare Workers 4 Palestine (HCW4P) South Africa campaign to ensure their businesses are "Apartheid Free Zones, which involves boycotting Israeli-linked companies like Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. The campaign is part of a global BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement to pressure Israel to comply with international laws.

The Jewish Board of Deputies has criticized the pharmacy campaign, calling it "another piece of grandstanding" that would put people's health at risk. However, the HCW4P SA chairperson, Dr. Saadiq Moolla, said the campaign aims to change the responsibility from the consumer to the businesses, allowing people to shop at participating stores and facilities with the assurance that all products are safe to buy.

As the South African general election approaches, the SAJBD has made it clear that it will be closely scrutinizing the statements and actions of political parties, particularly newcomers like Rise Mzansi, regarding the Israel-Palestine issue. The Board's spokesperson emphasized, "We will not hesitate to call out and condemn any instances of antisemitism or inflammatory rhetoric that crosses the line into hate speech. All political parties have a responsibility to engage in constructive dialogue and promote peace, rather than fueling further division and animosity."

Key Takeaways

• SAJBD concerned over pro-Palestine views of Rise Mzansi party leaders
• SAJBD accuses Rise Mzansi of "anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric"
• Over 20 Cape Town pharmacies join campaign to boycott Israeli-linked companies
• SAJBD criticizes pharmacy campaign, says it risks people's health
• SAJBD vows to call out any antisemitism or hate speech from political parties