THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE NEEDS....JUST PEACE in GAZA

Aggressive discourse in South Africa on Gaza invasion – Part II

August 15, 2014 — In Part II of our report on the passions stirred up in South Africa by Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip, and the headache it has created for the government, journalist Ilham Rawoot explores the divisions these events have created within the Jewish community

South African Jewish Voices for a Just Peace | Cape Town March for Gaza | Saturday, 9 August 2014

The events of the last month in Gaza, beginning with Israel’s invasion of the strip, which have led to the death of almost 1,959 Gazans (according to the Gaza Health Ministry, 80 per cent of whom were civilians), with another 10,196 wounded, and 64 Israeli soldiers (plus 3 civilians), have created turmoil among South Africa’s Jewish community..
Those who have gone against the status quo are facing repercussions that reveal the divisiveness of the issue of Israel’s actions. Within the Jewish community, which is mostly Zionist, groups and individuals have been publicly lambasted for taking a stance that is seen as anti-Israel. A series of events have taken place since the beginning of the invasion which have shown that views on Israel and its actions among South African Jews are not as hegemonic as people think, and that there is a growing Jewish mobilisation against blind support for Israel.

South African Jewish Voices for a Just Peace | Cape Town March for Gaza | Saturday, 9 August 2014 South African Jewish Voices for a Just Peace

“I can love and support the state of Israel but still reject and criticize some of its actions”

Last week, when over 100,000 people marched through the streets of Cape Town to protest Israel’s invasion of Gaza, a group called Jewish Voices for a Just Peace was present, making it clear with banners and posters that Israel’s invasion of Gaza is not in their name, and not supported by the entire Jewish community. They have faced serious criticism, much of which has been personal and heavily insulting, and had to be removed from their Facebook page. One of the members in Johannesburg, Rina King, was disowned by her family.
Soon after, attention was turned to a schoolboy, Joshua Broomberg, who created an uproar in his community when he wore a Palestinian scarf to the World Schools Debating Championship in Thailand. Broomberg is deputy head boy at King David Victory Park, a Jewish high school in Johannesburg. A petition was immediately sent to his school by “Concerned members of the community”, calling for his honours to be removed.
A picture of the team, all wearing the scarves, had been posted on Facebook, with the caption: “Team South Africa wearing Palestinian badges and Keffiyehs to show our opposition to human rights violations carried out against the people of Palestine. #WSDC2014”.

“Team South Africa wearing Palestinian badges and Keffiyehs to show our opposition to human rights violations carried out against the people of Palestine. #WSDC2014″

Broomberg responded with an open letter of his own in which he said:
“While I apologise for the hurt (the team) seem to have caused, I do not apologise for standing with Palestine on this issue. This is not because I do not believe in Israel or its people. I do believe in Israel, and I take this stand because I can love and support the state of Israel but still reject and criticize some of its actions. In fact, I consider it my duty to contribute to the growing worldwide discussion surrounding the desperate need for a quick end and lasting solution to this pernicious conflict.”
The community was split between those who saw him as a brave and a necessary young voice among South African Jews, and those who found his act irreversibly unacceptable. A counter petition was then distributed in which many community members stood up for Broomberg.
But it didn’t end here. Another boy at the same school, whose name has not been made public, has been threatened with expulsion after posting a status critical of Israel on Facebook. He has now laid a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission. In the complaint, he alleges that he was bullied by students and teachers for his views and was publicly humiliated in a school newsletter. The student told the Times newspaper on Thursday that once a pupil is critical of Israel, he or she is “written off by the leadership at King David for the rest of your school career”.
Further refusals to engage publicly on the topic were added to what is being seen as growing intolerance of criticism by the Zionist authorities. Two weeks ago, the SAZF turned down an invitation to participate in a debate with renowned Israeli historian Ilan Pappe – whose writings are strongly against the Israeli state and its actions – on South African satellite community television station, ITV.
Hila Zetler, spokesperson for the South African Zionist Federation, explained that “when invited to speak we said it quite clearly that we do not share a panel with someone that spews out lies. We are very well acquainted with the work of Ilan Pappe and are not impressed with him or his record. He has admitted in a previously published interview that he lies in order to garner support for his pro-Palestinian stance and his references are suspect.”
Zetler says that support for Israel in South Africa is very strong, and refers to all pro-Palestinians and supporters at pro-Palestinian marches as “Muslim”.

South African Jewish Voices for a Just Peace | Cape Town March for Gaza | Saturday, 9 August 2014

“The Zionist community is feeling proud. Israel has managed this current conflict with morality and we are sure will continue to do so as it strives to protect its citizens. We are concerned by the surge of anti Semitism but believe the SA government will insure a safe and democratic environment for all faiths and people living in South Africa. There is an overwhelming support for Israel in South Africa and we will continue to advocate and further the support of Israel amongst South Africans.”

But what is this “Zionist lobby” and why does it seem to be so strong?

Zetler adds that the figure named by the police for the pro-Palestine march on Saturday in Cape Town was, in fact, as small as 40,000 people. The pro-Israel rally in Johannesburg was 12,000 people. In relation to the 15,000 Jews and 600,000 Muslims in South Africa, this support for Israel was proportionally much greater.
In a similar vein, former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils said at a talk last week at the University of cape Town – as he has said many times before – “the Zionist lobby in South Africa is very strong.”
But what is this “Zionist lobby” and why does it seem to be so strong?
Ralph Mathekga is a political analyst at a company called Clearcontent Research and Consulting.
“The Zionist lobby in South Africa is made up of the South African Zionist Federation and the South African Jewish board of Deputies,” he says.
“The SAJBD has many bilateral talks with government, and engagement with them on many levels. Forget about boycotting Woolworths, many South African businesses have interests in Israel as well.”
A big part of Israel’s power comes from its ability to influence the media, and thereby, the war of ideas. They frame any conflict with Palestine as necessary for the safety of the Jewish State. In mainstream media, there are very few journalists who speak out against Israel without facing negative career implications.
“We saw already in 2006, with Israel’s war in Lebanon, that the international Israel lobby is very organised and well orchestrated when it comes to dispelling any criticism of Israel. In South Africa, there is very tangible work being seen, and they are very aggressive in the public. This media lever is very powerful.”