Dear Community Member
A report in yesterday’s Sunday Times (6 September) concerning statements made by Obed Bapela, a senior member of the ANC’s national executive committee, is generating much concern and outrage in our community. According to the report the ruling party is considering implementing far-reaching changes to its current policy, as well as existing South African law, affecting the relationship between South Africa and Israel, which will impact negatively on South African Jewry.
The world is reeling from the current tragic events surrounding the desperate attempts by Syrians searching for safety and yet Bapela ignores this in his obsession to demonise Israel and South African Jewry. Certainly, the proposed changes to our law and foreign policy, as outlined by Obed Bapela, are outrageous and unacceptable. It is of concern that policies so overtly targeted against Israel and discriminatory against our Jewish community are allegedly being considered by the ruling party at all. That being said, it needs to be borne in mind that within the ANC, there exists a wide range of views on the Israel-Palestine issue and what South Africa’s approach to it should be. Mr Bapela is well known for being an especially radical anti-Israel voice within the party, and the sentiments expressed by him are nothing new. The real issue is whether his views are now set to become mainstream ANC policy.
To clarify what the true position is and how this will impact on SA Jewry and other South African communities, the Jewish leadership has requested to meet with the ANC at the highest levels. We will update the community once we have more clarity on this and related questions. We will also be issuing a media statement tomorrow.
Regards
Eric Marx (Chairman)
Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies SA Zionist Federation (Cape Council)