Press Statements
Statement: SAJBD SAZF condemn heinous killing
The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) and the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) join Israeli political and religious leadership and other international Jewish organisations in expressing outrage and horror at the senseless killing of Palestinian teenager, Mohammed Abu Khdeir, by Jewish extremists.
We commend Israeli authorities for acting swiftly in arresting those charged with participating in this vigilante act and welcome the words of Israeli President Shimon Peres that the harshest action will be taken against the six Israelis who are suspected of kidnapping and murdering the teenager. He is quoted as saying: “If a Jew kills they will be put to the court like any other criminal, there is no privilege, the law is equal to all and all are equal before the law,". The President added that the country does not “distinguish between blood and blood. The murder of a child is reprehensible, regardless of the religion or nationality of the child.”
The SAJBD and SAZF further note that two Palestinians from the Hebron area visited the grieving Fraenkel family, whose son Naftali was slain two weeks earlier. In turn, the uncle of Naftali Fraenkel offered his condolences this past Sunday in a phone call to Hussein Abu Khdeir, and condemned the killing of his son Mohammed. He said in a statement that “we expressed our deep empathy with their sorrow, from one bereaved family to another bereaved family.”
It is our sincere hope that the above acts of courage and forgiveness will shine a light in the region and that all parties will do what it takes to bring peace to a region that will see two secure states, living alongside each other.
Issued by
Wendy Kahn
National Director
South African Board of Deputies
Ben Swartz
Vice Chairman
South African Zionist Federation
THE KIDNAPPING OF THREE YOUNG ISRAELI TEENAGERS - 17 June 2014
The recent kidnapping of three young boys in Israel by Hamas terrorists is a barbaric and savage act, ironically perpetrated by one of the two powers of the new Palestinian Unity Government which has stated that it wishes to advance the peace process with Israel.
Five days ago these three innocent young boys were hitchhiking in the Gush Etzion area of the West Bank when they disappeared without a trace. It is impossible to describe the anguish and torment their families are experiencing as they wait for news; and we pay tribute to the citizens of Israel who have rallied round to give support to the parents.
The act is yet another indication of the lengths to which Hamas will go to obliterate any chance of peace in the region: abducting young Israelis to confirm that it will do all in its power to destroy the State of Israel.
On behalf of the SA Zionist Federation and the Jewish community of South Africa, we pray with the families of the boys for their safe return. We also urge those who support and sanction the establishment of this unity government to take a closer look at Hamas and to acknowledge its iniquitous objectives and its determination to continue its evil and nefarious actions.
Issued on behalf of Avrom Krengel
Chairman: SA Zionist Federation
Jewish National Fund of SA refutes false claims of new documentary
The Jewish National Fund of South Africa (JNF) has been accused of participating in a deliberate attempt to obliterate Palestinian history in Israel. These historically baseless and sensationalistic claims have been made by the recently released documentary film “The Village under the Forest”.
The reality is that the agricultural village of Lubya, far from being razed to the ground to make way for a forest, had been deserted for 18 years before the forest was planted in 1964. The village was subject to the Land Reparations Act and after being abandoned en masse by its residents in 1948, with no subsequent claims made for it, it was then, after the passing of the requisite amount of time, earmarked for the JNF forest. There was never any sinister and under-handed plot to destroy the historical evidence of a Palestinian Arab presence. In fact, it is the Palestinians and the neighbouring Arab states which over the decades have been guilty of obliterating evidence of the millennia-old Jewish presence in Israel.
Throughout the world, new settlements are routinely established on the remains of old ones. This is particularly true of Israel, a tiny country where the archaeological record reveals layers upon layer of previous civilisations that were established and supplanted over a period of more than five thousand years. Across the length and breadth of Israel, one will find archaeological remains of ancient Jewish communities, testifying to a Jewish presence in the land that long preceded the Arab invasion.
The South African Jewish community, in the mould of the JNF world-wide, funded the establishment of this forest as part of a 110-year long environmental campaign aimed at land reclamation, greening and development in the historic Jewish homeland. The JNF eschews the policy of displacing people. The destruction of homes and the eviction of residents has never been a part of the JNF policy and its projects are always carried out under the direction of the Israel Land Administration, on land that is owned by the State of Israel or owned by the Keren Kayemet Leisrael - Jewish National Fund in accordance with the law.
Through its work, over 260 million trees have been planted and a network of water reservoirs as well as hundreds megawatts of renewable solar power created. These projects work across the spectrum to benefit both Jewish and non-Jewish citizens of Israel. This, and not the politically-charged smears levelled at it by anti-Israel agitators, is the true legacy of the JNF.
South African Zionist Federation mourns the death of Nelson Mandela
The South African Zionist Federation, together with countless Jews in South Africa, Israel and the diaspora, mourns the death of Nelson Mandela, exceptional leader, icon, visionary and indefatigable fighter for human rights and against discrimination and racism.
He was the guiding light and force behind South Africa’s transition to a free and peaceful democratic country. The values of humility, negotiation, respect, understanding and a commitment to peace which he promoted and by which he lived resonate throughout the world and will do so far into the future.
We salute and revere Mandela and his family for the special relationship he nurtured with the Jewish community throughout his life, and his connection to and admiration of Israel which he visited and whose founding fathers inspired him. He will always have a very special meaning in our lives.
Although Madiba is no longer with us, his life and the values he espoused continue to be a guiding beacon for the entire world. May we all follow his example and create a world of peace, harmony and togetherness. Avrom Krengel
Chairman: South African Zionist Federation
David versus Goliath
For the past two years Open Shuhada Street has waged a malicious propaganda campaign against Wellness Warehouse to try to force it to stop selling AHAVA products.Tactics used have included illegal demonstrations,disruption of stores,harassment of customers and staff,the spreading of lies and disinformation and all manner of threats against the company.Yet despite this vicious campaign of intimidation,Wellness Warehouse has refused to allow itself to be bullied and has stood firm in its commitment to their customers and their right to choose the products they wish to buy.We salute the courage and bravery of company staff and management for the principled stand they have taken.
What we are now witnessing is a David versus Goliath struggle,where the Boycott,Divestment and Sanctions (BDS)movement, unable to enforce its will,is using whatever means possible to prevent Wellness Warehouse from selling AHAVA products.Time and again the BDS movement has demonstrated it's contempt for truth,fairness and justice and it's behaviour can only be described as bigoted,dishonest and shameful. We believe the most appropriate response to this pernicious campaign is to show your support for Wellness Warehouse.Visit their stores,send messages of support,buy products and demonstrate that we will no longer be silenced by these voices of intolerance,divisiveness and hatred ,who seek to sow discord amongst peace loving South Africans.
On Saturday the 13 October at 11 30 am the BDS movement will be staging a demonstration outside the Kloof Street Wellness Warehouse in the Lifestyle centre.We are urging community members to show their solidarity by purchasing AHAVA and other products from their Kloof Street store during the next two days.
Press Statement: SA Jewry Slams Anti-Israel Stance by The SAJBD on 14 August 2012
The South African Jewish community deplores Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ebrahim Ebrahim’s statement that he is discouraging South Africans from visiting Israel. Such a stance is grossly discriminatory, counter-productive and wholly inconsistent with how South Africa normally conducts its international relations and contradicts its official policy of having full diplomatic ties with Israel.
The result of such a policy is that South Africa, instead of lending its weight to international efforts to bring about a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, will be seen to be supporting those who wish to promote a complete boycott of Israel and to that end seek to shut down any initiatives aimed at meaningful dialogue. Effectively, honest debate is being shut down, the Israeli viewpoint censored and people denied the opportunity of making their own informed decision through actions amounting to controlling access to information on the part of a government department.
Whereas in other areas of conflict around the world, South Africa consistently emphasises the need for constant dialogue and engagement between all the parties concerned, when it comes to the Israel-Palestinian question, its current policy would seem to be to prevent the Israeli case from even being heard. Only through visiting Israel and engaging at first hand with the various role-players and issues on the ground can people gain a better understanding of the situation there, yet it is precisely such visits that Deputy Minister Ebrahim is seeking to prevent.
Mr Ebrahim’s statements are indicative of a highly discriminatory and disproportionate obsession with the Jewish State. In further polarising rather than bringing together the various parties, it undermines the government’s oft-stated policy of supporting a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In addition, it harms South Africa’s standing as a credible player in resolving international disputes.
One-sided boycotts only play into the hands of those who oppose a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian question. It is not in South Africa’s interests, both domestically and internationally, to support such extremists.
For more information please contact Avrom Krengel on 082 600 6465, Mary Kluk on 083 7758618 or Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein at office@chiefrabbi.co.za
Issued by the South African Zionist Federation, South African Jewish Board of Deputies and the Office of the Chief Rabbi.
ACDP to march on Thursday against factually flawed General Notice
Pretoria, June 26, 2012 – This Thursday, the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) will show its support for Israel with a protest march which will start at the Pretoria Arts Museum in Wessels Street, Pretoria at 10:45am and will end at the offices of the Department of Trade and Industry on Meintjies Street, Pretoria.
The party joins a number of Jewish and pro-Israeli groups in showing their concern about the anti-Israel stance inherent in a General Notice signed by Dr Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry (DTI). The party is concerned that this notice will involve the South African government in radical anti-Israel lobby group, Open Shuhada Street’s political agenda to boycott products from Israel, and ultimately, to advance repeated calls by the Iranian government to annihilate Israel.
The notice in question is General Notice 379 of 2012, according to which Dr Davies intends to make it a requirement that traders in South Africa and producers in Israel should label their products as originating from ‘Occupied Palestinian Territory’ and not from Israel. Upon arrival at the DTI offices, a representative of the ACDP will hand a memorandum to a representative of Dr Davies, calling on the minister to either withdraw the notice or cancel it altogether.
“We disagree with the notice for a number of reasons,” said Dr Kenneth Meshoe, president of the ACDP. “Firstly, it is based on an allegation – and not facts – by a radical anti-Israel lobby group, the Open Shuhada Street. The allegation states that that products made by Ahava, including cosmetic brands, technology and soft drinks, are being distributed within South Africa as having been made in Israel and not in ‘Occupied Palestinian Territory’.”
The ACDP’s contention is that this requirement would be in conflict with the Consumer Protection Act. Section 24(5)(a) of this Act deals with the labeling of products in terms of their country of origin. “Occupied Palestinian Territory is not a country but rather an area within Judea and Samaria,” Meshoe pointed out. “Accordingly, to label Israeli products as originating from ‘Occupied Palestinian Territory’ and not ‘Made in Israel’ would be misleading and factually incorrect.”
While South Africa needs to take a stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this should be done in such a way that the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians are respected. Any move by the South African government should attempt to contribute towards a peaceful resolution to this very complicated conflict. As a country we need to treat both nations fairly and avoid making moves that could further exacerbate the conflict.” Meshoe said.
The ACDP believes that the South African government’s role should be to use the country’s legacy of reconciliation to encourage the peaceful co-existence of the two nations. “We therefore urge all ACDP members and supporters, as well as local supporters of Israel, to join the march,” Meshoe said.
“Concerned citizens who disagree with this notice should also submit their comments to the DTI – they only have until Monday, July 9 to do so,” he added. “Public opinion can sway important issues such as this one and I implore all interested parties to exercise their democratic rights in this regard.”
Comments should be forwarded to Ntutuzelo Vananda via email, at NVananda@lhedtLoov.za
Issued on behalf of: The African Christian Democratic Party
Issued by: Pleiades Media
Media contact: Kerry Botha
Tel. No.: 083 263 0644
Email: kerry@pleiades.co.za
NEWS RELEASE - 8 MARCH 2012 - DR ABDUL AZIZ UMAR
Former Palestinian prisoner Dr Abdul Aziz Umar, who is visiting Cape Town to give a series of lectures, has claimed that he was arrested by the Israelis for “spreading new and strange ideas” in his academic works.
The reality is very different
The real reason why Umar was sentenced to seven life sentences by Israel in 2004 was because of his participation in the Café Hillel bombings in Jerusalem on 9 September 2003. Seven Israeli civilians were killed in this cold-blooded terrorist attack. They included Dr David Appelbaum, head of the emergency room at Shaare Zedek Medical Centre and his daughter Nava, who was to have been married the following day.
Whilst in prison, Umar was allowed to further his academic qualifications by studying through an Israeli university, at the Israeli tax payer’s expense. He was freed last year as part on a prisoner exchange deal, in which hundreds of Palestinian prisoners were released in exchange for a single Israeli one.
Those responsible for bringing Abdul Aziz Umar to South Africa have falsely depicted him as an innocent victim of Israeli oppression and prison brutality. The truth is that he is a convicted terrorist with innocent blood on his hands. He has never expressed any remorse for his murderous actions, and he remains a committed supporter of terrorist violence against Israel.
The South African Zionist Federation questions the motivations and the morality of bringing someone with Umar’s record to South Africa. There can be no place in our country for those who propagate hatred and falsehood and who have chosen the path of violence over that of peace.
Ben Swartz – 082 451 5788
Spokesperson
South African Zionist Federation
NEWS RELEASE - 12 MARCH 2012 - DR ABDUL AZIZ UMAR
The Palestinian Solidarity Committee has made various allegations about conditions in Israeli prisons, in particular those imprisoned for their involvement in terrorist acts. As an example they cite the experience of Abdul Aziz Umar who was recently released under a prisoner swap deal.
The PSC create the impression that Umar was not guilty of acts of terrorism. The reality is that it was conclusively proven that he was one of the masterminds behind the Café Hillel bombing of 2003. In this atrocity 7 Israeli civilians were killed, including Dr David Appelbaum, head of the emergency room at Shaare Zedek Medical Centre and his daughter Nava, who was to have been married the following day.
Unlike Israeli soldiers captured by Palestinians, Umar was accorded humane treatment in line with internationally accepted laws. He and fellow prisoners received regular visits from the International Red Cross. He was also given the opportunity to study and in fact, attained his doctorate through the Hebrew University at the expense of Israeli tax payers, despite his heinous crimes.
Umar was released last year despite him having neither expressed remorse for his crimes nor in any way deviating from his support for ongoing terrorist actions against civilian targets.
Given the type of crimes he is guilty of the trustworthiness of his testimony can only be regarded with skepticism. Rather than investigating baseless allegations about his prison conditions in Israel, South Africa should join with other countries in condemning terrorist violence and in supporting negotiations for a peaceful solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict.
Ben Swartz – 082 451 5788
Spokesperson
South African Zionist Federation
PRESS STATEMENT – YOM HA’ATZMAUT
The Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations hosted by the South African Zionist Federation in Johannesburg are the largest communal events of South African Jewry and attract over 5000 participants every year. The SAZF goes to great lengths to make these celebrations as inclusive and spectacular as possible.
In recent years, the SAZF has organised events that are able to be attended by all sections of our community including the growing religious community of Johannesburg. This decision was made without any rabbinical interference or pressure and was done solely out of respect and appreciation for the dedication and commitment shown by the religious Zionist community of South Africa towards Israel and Zionism.
In response to various requests, the SAZF has agreed on a programme that will ensure that this year’s celebrations include greater participation by women whilst still being respectful of our religious community.
We wish to thank all parties involved for the helpful and constructive manner in which this issue was resolved and appreciate the commitment from everyone in ensuring that Yom Ha’atzmaut continues to be a holiday and festival of hope and unity for the Jewish people and Israel.
AVROM KRENGEL
Chairman
South African Zionist Federation.
NEWS RELEASE - 22 MARCH 2012 - SAZF MOURNS TRAGIC LOSS OF LIFE IN FRANCE
The unprovoked and tragic murder of a teacher and three small children at a Jewish Day School in France has sent reverberations of great concern around communities across the Diaspora. The SAZF is appalled by this senseless and horrific act, and extends its deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to the families who lost their loved ones.
Jewish Communities around the world are now taking extra security precautions to avoid similar tragedies being perpetuated by fanatic extremists and impacting on them and their security. We hope the governments around the world will take similar steps to ensure that these scourges against vulnerable communities will be halted before more murders of innocent Jews, including children, are carried out.
Ben Swartz – 082 451 5788
Spokesperson
South African Zionist Federation
NEWS RELEASE - 21 MAY 2012
It is with deep regret that The South African Zionist Federation takes note of the General Notice on the labelling of products of origin within the West Bank issued by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies.
It is noted that in SA today we are confronted with alarming levels of poverty and unemployment, while the Minister of the DTI chooses to focus on and single out Israel for censure – a country that has become a leading example in the fields of agricultural, water, technological and entrepreneurial innovation and a country that has remained committed to partnering and sharing with South Africa that expertise in which it excels.
It is concerning that in coming to this point the minister has made it very evident in his notice that he has relied on the narrow views of lobby groups whose stated aims are to enforce a regime of boycotts and sanctions against Israel. At the same time the Minister has refused to meet and consult with interest groups opposed to his position on this matter.
The interests of all parties to the Israel Palestine conflict are best served by a process of dialogue and discussion aimed at resolving the differences and not a process that seeks to blame and isolate one party and seeks to drive the parties further apart.
For more of information please contact Avrom Krengel on 082 600 6465 or Ben Swartz on 082 451 5788
Israeli Embassy and the University of KwaZulu Natal - 22 May 2012
The South African Zionist Federation condemns the decision by the University of KwaZulu-Natal to prevent Israel’s deputy ambassador to South Africa from speaking on the campus.
This action runs contrary to both the spirit of the Constitution of South Africa which values and encourages freedom of speech and expression, and to the university’s own mission statement which “actively encourages and respects the right of all scholars, staff and students to engage in critical inquiry, independent research, intellectual discourse and public debate … in accordance with the principle of academic freedom.”
Open and honest debate by all parties is essential for the resolution of this problem; and we therefore urge the university to reconsider its initial decision and reissue an invitation to the deputy ambassador to .
Issued on behalf of:
Avrom Krengel
Chairman, SA Zionist Federation
082 600 6465
sazf@beyachad.co.za
SOUTH AFRICAN ZIONIST FEDERATION AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN JEWISH BOARD OF DEPUTIES - NEWS RELEASE - 18 October 2011
RELEASE OF GILAD SCHALIT
The South African Zionist Federation, together with the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, and on behalf of the Jewish community, is overjoyed at the news of the release of Gilad Schalit. After 5 years of incarceration by Hamas in Gaza, where he was kept incommunicado by his captors while his family and Israel prayed for his safety, he has finally been reunited with his parents, his siblings and a nation that held him in their hearts for all that time.
We pray that his integration back into his family and his society will be easy and smooth; and we extend our sincere thanks to the members of the Israeli government who worked tirelessly to secure his release.
Issued on behalf of:
Avrom Krengel
Chairman, SA Zionist Federation
Mary Kluk
Chairman, SA Jewish Board of Deputies
Tel: 082 600 6465 / 083 775 8618
E-mail: sazf@beyachad.co.za
SA Jewish Leadership Regrets SA Government Stance on Palestinian UDI
The SA Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) and SA Zionist Federation (SAZF) are disappointed by President Zuma’s statement that South Africa will support the recognition by the United Nations of an independent Palestinian state. While we support the creation of an independent Palestinian state co-existing in peace alongside Israel, this can only be achieved through a process of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. Unilateral action by either party aimed at bypassing the negotiations process will result only in increased polarisation and will retard rather than advanced the prospects of achieving a lasting peace agreement.
We believe that South Africa’s supporting a unilateral declaration of independence by the Palestinians is contrary to the South African ethos of resolving differences through the give-and-take process of negotiations, in which all parties work through the issues and find mutually acceptable solutions to the questions that divide them. This has been shown not only in the way South Africa was able to achieve its own transition to multi-racial democracy, but in the role it has played in helping resolve disputes in Sudan, Ivory Coast and Kenya.
Negotiations will also serve to build the necessary trust and understanding between the parties that will enable an Israeli and a Palestinian state to co-exist peacefully in the future.
The SAJBD and SAZF urge the South African government, as well as the greater international community, to work towards a negotiated settlement to the Israel-Palestine question. This in turn should have the goal of bringing about a mutually agreed upon two-state solution through which the two peoples can realise their respective national destinies in a spirit of good neighbourliness and respect.
For further comment, contact Mary Kluk (083 775 8618), Avrom Krengel (082 600 6465) or Zev Krengel (082 557 9681).
SA ZIONIST FEDERATION - MEDIA RELEASE
Russell Tribunal on Palestine - 20 July 2011
The forthcoming meeting of the Russell Tribunal in Cape Town is unlikely to be anymore more than a pointless political smear campaign by a self-appointed group of anti-Israel activists. Despite its name, the Russell Tribunal is not an impartial, accountable judicial body. Rather, it is a loose association of lobbyists pushing a narrow, one-sided political agenda, in this case the delegitimisation of the State of Israel. Such bodies make a mockery of credible judicial procedure, and hinder rather than help any efforts towards resolving the Israel-Palestine question.
The proceedings of the Russell Tribunal, already rendered all but meaningless by the body’s institutionalised anti-Israel bias, have been further made irrelevant by the latest developments in the Middle East and North Africa. A state of civil war is already raging in Syria and Libya, with thousands of civilian deaths having already occurred, while the specter of insurrection and instability stalks many more countries in the region. These are the pressing issues that urgently need international attention.
In its previous meetings, held in the UK and Spain, the Russell Tribunal proved to be an irrelevant talk-shop whose members simply arrived at pre-endorsed conclusions, all of which were aimed at depicting Israel, and only Israel, as a criminal rogue state. There is no reason to believe that the latest installment of this rolling propaganda roadshow will be any different.
Ben Swartz
Spokesperson – 082 451 5788
South African Zionist Federation
SA ZIONIST FEDERATION - MEDIA RELEASE
JUDGE GOLDSTONE RETRACTS OPERATION CAST LEAD REPORT - 4 April 2011
The South African Zionist Federation is encouraged by the statement released this weekend by Judge Richard Goldstone in which he affirmed, among other points made, that Palestinian civilians in Gaza were not intentionally targeted by Israel as a matter of policy; but that the rockets fired by Hamas were "purposefully and indiscriminately aimed at civilian targets."
The SA Zionist Federation has always been of the opinion that the original Goldstone Report was biased and based on conjecture and speculation rather than on actual evidence. This opinion is borne out by the Judge's decision to publish this statement which is a retraction of the now clearly discredited original report.
The falsehoods contained in the original report caused incalculable and irreparable damage to the reputation of Israel and its armed forces.
While Judge Goldstone's statement may go some way to limiting the harm caused to Israel by his original report, the SAZF reiterates its call to him to repudiate the report in its entirety.
Issued on behalf of:
Avrom Krengel
Chairman: South African Zionist Federation
Private Bag X6 Sandringham 2131
Cell: 082 600 6465
E-mail: sazf@beyachad.co.za
SA ZIONIST FEDERATION - MEDIA RELEASE
PETITION AGAINST ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS DESMOND TUTU - 12 January 2011
The South African Zionist Federation would like to clarify and confirm that the views expressed in the petition calling for Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu to be “axed” as patron of the Holocaust Centres in Cape Town and Johannesburg do not reflect any statements which have been issued by official representatives of the South African Zionist Federation.
The petition was launched by certain individuals without prior consultation or approval of the South African Zionist Federation and represents their personal views alone.
The Cape Town Holocaust Centre has been an outstanding success in the ten years it has been in existence. It is an educational institution serving all citizens of the country as a whole and is dedicated to creating a more caring and just society in which human rights and diversity are respected and valued.
The South African Zionist Federation recognises the Holocaust Centre as an autonomous organisation and respects its leadership’s right to respond in respect of the petition.
The South African Zionist Federation reserves the right to make an official response at the appropriate time.
Issued on behalf of:
Avrom Krengel
Chairman: South African Zionist Federation
Private Bag X6 Sandringham 2131
Cell: 082 600 6465
E-mail: sazf@beyachad.co.za
SA ZIONIST FEDERATION - MEDIA RELEASE
ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS DESMOND TUTU and the CAPE TOWN OPERA - 27 October 2010
The South African Zionist Federation is profoundly saddened by the call by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu to the Cape Town Opera to postpone its proposed trip to Israel for political reasons.
We had hoped that as a man of peace and a Nobel Peace laureate, he would use his legacy and his reputation to bring the Israeli and Palestinian people closer to a resolution of this tragic conflict, rather than exacerbating it by his hostile statements.
His attack on Israel is unjust and harmful to any moves towards peace, and his stance is to be regretted, especially in light of the decision taken by the Cape Town Opera to continue with its tour of Israel because it is "first and foremost an arts company that believes in promoting universally held human values through the medium of opera".
Issued on behalf of:
Avrom Krengel
Chairman: South African Zionist Federation
Private Bag X6 Sandringham 2131
Cell: 082 600 6465
E-mail: sazf@beyachad.co.za
SA ZIONIST FEDERATION - MEDIA STATEMENT
THE GAZA FLOTILLA - 2 June 2010
The seizure of the Gaza Flotilla has resulted in widespread accusations against Israel which have absolutely no foundation but which are instead based only on sensationalism and propaganda aimed at delegitimizing Israel in the basest manner.
The Hamas regime controlling Gaza is determined to continue attacking Israel with whatever means it has at its disposal. Under international law Israel has the right to defend and protect her citizens from Hamas attacks, and has thus imposed a maritime blockade to curb further Hamas aggression. Under international maritime law, when a maritime blockade is in effect, no vessels can enter the blockaded area.
Israel fulfilled the tenets of international law by warning these ships repeatedly of the existence of this maritime blockade off the coast of Gaza. At the same time, based on the assumption that the boats in the flotilla were carrying humanitarian aid for the citizens of Gaza, Israel offered them the opportunity to land in the Israeli port of Ashdod and to offload the aid, under their scrutiny, which would then be transferred to Gaza through the existing overland crossings.
However on 27 May, Greta Berlin, one of the flotilla organizers, made the following statement to AFP: “This mission is not about delivering humanitarian supplies, it's about breaking Israel's siege."
The organizers claim to want to bring humanitarian assistance to Gaza; yet at no time has any such offer been made to or about Gilad Shalit, the young Israeli soldier captured 4 years ago by Hamas and since then denied every opportunity either to be visited by the Red Cross or to be in contact with his family.
When it became clear that the organizers refused to change direction towards Ashdod, thus violating the Israeli blockade, Israeli naval personnel had no option but to board the illegally sited vessels. A helicopter landed on the deck of one of the boats, and the Israelis who disembarked were immediately attacked and their weapons forcibly removed. Confronted by protestors with weapons as well as by a man carrying an infant in his arms – in what he called a "message" to any Israelis planning to act against the flotilla but which cannot but be construed as anything other than child abuse - the Israeli naval personnel were well within their rights to take action against their attackers. 10 Israeli soldiers were injured in the incident, of whom one suffered a serious head injury, two others were injured by gunshots and another was stabbed.
The vessels have now been redirected to Ashdod, where the humanitarian aid will be transferred to Gaza according to standard operating procedures.
The SA Zionist Federation strongly condemns the distorted and overt media bias which yet again has ignored the role of terrorist group Hamas and its supporters who promote violence and aggression under the guise of humanitarian activity in favour of damning Israel based solely on one-sided, prejudicial and fallacious information.
Issued on behalf of:
Avrom Krengel
Chairman: South African Zionist Federation
Private Bag X6, Sandringham 2131
Cell: 082 600 6465
E-mail: sazf@beyachad.co.za
The South African Zionist Federation Media Statement
2 September 2010 - Resumption of Middle East peace talks
The South African Zionist Federation strongly supports the renewed peace talks currently underway in Washington between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. These are the first direct, official contacts between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders in 20 months. In the words of Prime Minister Netanyahu, their goal, which we fully endorse, is "a peace that will end the conflict between us once and for all. We seek a peace that will last for generations.”
At the same time we condemn the murderous attacks by Hamas terrorists, the first which resulted in the deaths of four Israelis, including a pregnant woman, the mother of six, and her unborn seventh child, and the second which injured two more Israelis, one of them seriously. By its savage and brutal actions, Hamas has proved indisputably not only its flagrant disregard for human life, both Israeli and Arab, but also its determination to derail the talks even before they begin, in the hope of sabotaging any chance of a peaceful Middle East settlement.
Issued on behalf of:
Avrom Krengel
Chairman: South African Zionist Federation
Private Bag X6 Sandringham 2131
Cell: 082 600 6465
E-mail: sazf@beyachad.co.za