Statements

The Chief Rabbi who lost his soul

By Anton Harber

On 20 January, Elon Musk gave a Nazi salute during celebrations of Donald Trump’s presidential election victory. We all saw him do it, twice, and he made no attempt to deny that it was anything but intentional.

It was consistent with other expressions of his views. He also gave his support to the far-rightwing Alternative for Germany Party (AfD), which has neo-Nazi links, and the far-rightwing Reform Party in Britain. In a world where neo-Nazi politics – targeting migrants and trans people – has shifted from the periphery to the centre, Musk and Trump have been prime movers.

In early February, Donald Trump relied on blatant disinformation to criticize South Africa and justify action against our government. Trump said white South Africans were threatened with expropriation without compensation of their assets, even though there are no examples of this happening and the new law goes no further than US law on the power of the state to seize land, and is subject to judicial oversight and review.

Trump made it clear that his concern was racially based: he was worried about and offered refuge to Afrikaners, one of the wealthiest demographics in the country, and showed zero concern for the majority of impoverished South Africans. Again this is in keeping with other expressions of his view, where he has dined with, praised and defended neo-Nazis.

This week, South Africa’s Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein sided with these two friends of white supremacists. “Thank you, President Trump,” he said in a video statement. Sounding more like an amateur economist than a serious spiritual leader, Rabbi Goldstein thanked them for caring for South Africa. He called them “highly successful” and Musk “one of the greatest business creators of all time”, without any qualification or recognition that they might have values, beliefs and friends that should raise the eyebrows of any caring human being, let alone a Jewish communal leader.

Something is very wrong when a Chief Rabbi sings the praises of political and business figures without mentioning their neo-Nazi affiliations. The Jewish community’s religious leadership has abandoned its moral compass and is floundering in a morass of confusion and contradiction.

Rabbi Goldstein is very critical of the ANC government and he is quite entitled to be so. But if he is to do it with any credibility, he needs to find a way out of his own contradictions.

If he is so opposed to the expropriation of land without compensation, why does he not apply this to the ongoing confiscation of Palestinian land and destruction of Palestinian homes on the West Bank and East Jerusalem? How can he presume to speak on behalf of black South African land rights, if he does not care for Palestinian land rights?

Rabbi Goldstein criticizes South Africa’s relationship with the “murderous terrorist state” of Iran. But he does not criticize President Trumps’ switch from an alliance with the democracies of Europe to the tyranny of Russia, nor what this means for democracies such as our own.

If we followed the likes of President Trump, he suggests, we would also be highly successful. Which part of Trump’s behavior would you have us mimic, Chief Rabbi? His treatment of women? The way he mocks the weak and disabled? His abuse of state power to chase down his rivals? His pursuit of media that criticizes him? His and his cabinet’s rejection of climate change, science and modern medicine? His rejection of diversity and inclusion? His hatred for trans people and migrants (at least those who are not white)?  His famously unethical business practices? His cynical use of religion?

Or maybe it is just his support for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza.

*Harber, a journalist and author, is a board member of the Jewish Democratic Initiative of SA. The Jewish Report declined to run this piece on the grounds that “we cannot take him [the Chief Rabbi] on publicly”. Editor Peta Krost said  it was “too divisive in an already divided community”, even though the Chief Rabbi himself, in the video, quoted the Talmud saying that leaders must listen to criticism. He said it in relation to President Cyril Ramaphosa, but clearly he himself is sheltered from criticism from within the community.

What do you think of the Chief Rabbi's statement?

Statement on Jewish Reports platforming of Joel Pollack

7th February 2025

9 Sh'vat, 5785                                                                                                            

On the night President Cyril Ramaphosa made one of the finest speeches of his career, making him one of the few world leaders to defy US bullying and stand up for the democratic values of equality and justice, the leading Jewish South African newspaper enthused over a speaker with diametrically opposed views: Joel Pollock, a MAGA supporter vying to be the next US Ambassador to South Africa.

Said Ramaphosa: “We are witnessing the rise of nationalism and protectionism, the pursuit of narrow interests and the decline of common cause”. In contrast, South Africa stands for“peace and justice, for equality and solidarity. We stand for non-racialism and democracy, for tolerance and compassion. We stand for equal rights for women, for persons with disability and for members of the LGBTQI+ community. We stand for our shared humanity, not for the survival of the fittest.”

Joel Pollack – as if in direct retort – explained to his admiring hosts that Donald Trump’s anti-altruism campaign has justifiably targeted South Africa precisely because of the valuesadvocated by Ramaphosa. Pollack defended the Trump administration’s dismantling of US aid agencies and his threats to halt trade assistance to countries that are not in lock-step with MAGA values. 

In South Africa’s case, Pollack justified an antagonistic stance by Washington towards South Africa by echoing the newly-invented US claims that the government persecutes the White minority and seizes their property. He further decried the “anti-Western bias” of SA’s foreign policy -especially our government’s approach to the ICJ in the genocide case against Israel.

There is some irony here. There was a time when “Western” values (a debatable term) wastaken to mean a fundamental aspiration towards equality and a shared humanity including adherence to the Rule of Law … principles no longer championed by the “anti-woke” MAGA racists and ethno-nationalists who have seized power in Washington today.

Of course, the Jewish Report is entitled to invite high-profile speakers to its forums, particularly a man who could very easily be the next US ambassador. But Pollack was not merely an independent voice of general interest. The leading South African Jewish newspaper could not restrain its exuberance as he lambasted South Africa; the expression is: “kissing his tuches”. 

There is much to be disappointed in with our current government. But allowing ignorant slander and belittling the ANC’s most valuable contribution to South Africa, its democratic constitution, should not be part of that. We know Jewish Report’s stance on Israel. What we’d like to know is whether it stands up for South Africa?

Statement for International Holocaust Memorial Day - 27 Jan 2025

Today is International Holocaust Memorial Day, commemorated on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by Soviet troops.

As South African Jews who lost significant numbers of family in the European genocide during WWII, we feel directly connected to this solemn and sombre day.

It is a time of reflection and renewal of a commitment to understand the possibility of genocide is ever-present.

Perhaps because of our own victimhood we have an extra responsibility to be alert to those amongst us who advocate for revenge and violence as solutions to societal and political problems. 

We note with increasing alarm the genocidal intentions, targeting Palestinians, espoused by some political and military leaders in our Jewish homeland, the State of Israel. 

Let us – as a community and as a people – take to heart the ancient teachings of our faith: -
"He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord demands of you; but to do justice, to love loving-kindness, and to walk humbly with your God."  

חהִגִּ֥יד לְךָ֛ אָדָ֖ם מַה־טּ֑וֹב וּמָה־יְהֹוָ֞ה דּוֹרֵ֣שׁ מִמְּךָ֗ כִּ֣י אִם־עֲשׂ֚וֹת מִשְׁפָּט֙ וְאַ֣הֲבַת חֶ֔סֶד וְהַצְנֵ֥עַ לֶ֖כֶת עִם־אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ: Micah 6;8

Statement on Elon Musk’s Nazi Salute - 21 Jan 2025

JDI Statement on the Netanyahu government's sanctions against Haaretz

We are former editors of the South African newspaper the Weekly Mail, writing on behalf of our colleagues in the Jewish Democratic Initiative, an organization which campaigns for free speech, human rights, an end to the occupation and a just and equitable peace in Israel-Palestine. We write to express our solidarity with Haaretz at this difficult time. The Netanyahu government's sanctions against Haaretz have brought back vivid memories of our own newspaper's struggles against the apartheid government some four decades ago. Indeed, while the Israeli government is enraged by any suggestion of apartheid-like behavior, it continues to act from the same playbook. See the article in HaArtez or coverage at News24.

JDI Statement on THE ONGOING VIOLENCE IN ISRAEL-PALESTINE

As we monitor the situation – talking to friends and family in Israel-Palestine, watching and reading the various media and mourning the fallen - we are left bereft by the senseless loss of life, the trauma and the tragedy.

A fundamental reassessment and recalibration of our relationship with Israel-Palestine is overdue. Praying for peace is insufficient.  We need to raise our voices in support of our Jewish State that understands that investing in peace is the only policy that can earn the dividend of peace.

Through our tears and heartbreak, we must find the space to support those in Israel-Palestine who work to craft a long-lasting resolution to the conflict over rights and territory in a Jewish Homeland equitably shared with all who live there.

Photograph by Haaretz

JDI Statement on THE PASSING OF KEY JUDICIAL OVERHAUL LAW

On Monday, 24 July 2023, the first piece of the far-right judicial overhaul legislation has been passed by Netanyahu's settler-led government. 

The Jewish Democratic Initiative (JDI) joins millions of Jews both in Israel and the Diaspora in condemning the seismic ideological shift driven by the government of the State of Israel’s ruling coalition.

Our firm belief is that democracy cannot exist under Occupation. In this moment of adversity, our hope is for the Israeli protest movement to evolve, shifting focus away from ethno-centric Jewish supremacy towards embracing genuine democratic values and principles of equality under the law. 

Photograph by Oren Ziv

JDI Statement on Nakba day: 75th anniversary of the catastrophe

This year marks the 75th anniversary of al-Nakba (The Catastrophe) that commemorates the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians from their homes in Palestine.

As Jews deeply connected to Israel – we are obligated to understand this painful history and to support efforts to seek a permanent, just, fair and equitable political solution between The State of Israel and the Palestinian population.

In this sense the Palestinian Nakba is also our catastrophe.

We - as a people – can never be free until we are all free.

JDI Statement on the mass protests averting a coup (for now)

As we write [27 March 2023] - a pause has been called in the attempted coup by right-wing ideologues in the Israeli governing coalition.

A huge coalition of civil society comprising Jewish Israelis from diverse sectors of society seems to have forced a suspension of the legislative push to overturn the last vestiges of democracy in Israel-Palestine.

Although this may bring sighs of relief to Jews around the world, we have to understand that this is a battle in a larger war.

The current turmoil is a symptom of a larger problem, exposing a society consumed by contradiction. We cannot return to the comforting myths and slogans that have masked the true nature of Israeli politics and society for decades.

JDI Statement on the threat to south african rural democracy

Today [23 February 2023], the Alliance for Rural Democracy (ARD) took the South African Parliament to the Constitutional Court in the matter of Constance Mogale and Others v Speaker of the National Assembly and Others. 

This case is a part of the larger #STOPTHEBANTUSTANBILLS campaign, working to stop the government from passing unconstitutional bills into law. If passed, these bills would effectively set up a segregated justice system in South Africa, stripping millions of citizens of their democratic rights, entrenching Bantustan geography and colonial notions of customary law. 

Stay informed as the struggle for rural democracy continues! See our full statement for additional resources.

JDI Statement on the legislative assault on israeli democracy

Today [13 February 2023]– in the Knesset - the first legislative steps towards the end of Jewish democratic rule in the State of Israel were taken.

A totalitarian State is in the making. Jewish Israelis need only look at the web of State control over the lives of Palestinians to understand the increasing role government will take in ordering their lives and livelihoods by curbing civil rights.

We are witness to a profound change in our Israel identification – leaving the question: What are we – collectively and individually –going to do about it? 

JDI Statement on escalation of violence and tragic killings in Israel-palestine

The Jewish Democratic Initiative notes with deep sadness and concern the escalation of violence and the tragic killings of Israelis and Palestinians in Occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank this past week. 

We join the global community in mourning and extends our deepest condolences to the families of all victims. When Jews are murdered, we all feel pain. Equally when Jews are perpetrators, we cannot evade our collective responsibility to speak out against violence. 

JDI Statement on NEW ISRAELI FAR-RIGHT COALITION

On 29 December 2022, Benjamin Netanyahu brought in his unprecedented sixth term as Prime Minister of Israel with the inauguration of the country’s most far-right, ultra-Nationalist and religious fundamentalist government to date.  

The Jewish Democratic Initiative calls on our South African communal leadership to publicly condemn ideologies which undermine our dedication to values of dignity, equality and freedom for all. To support the self-determination of the Jewish people in our historical homeland is to condemn both the internal and external threats to its survival, international standing and moral compass. 

JDI Statement on 25th knesset election results

The alliance of Likud, Religious Zionism, Shas and United Torah Judaism have won the majority of seats in Israel’s 120 seat Knesset. Headed by Benyamin Netanyahu this coalition will likely make up the next government. Judging by their election manifestos and statements the new ruling coalition represent a sharp turn to the right for the Jewish state.

JDI calls on all South African Jews and Jewish institutions to join international Jewry and publicly condemn the Religious Zionist Party’s inclusion in a ruling coalition government. If we really believe there can be no space for hatred in South African and Israeli society, we must explicitly and forcefully reject the vile politics currently represented by the Religious Zionist Party.

JDI Statement on the rise of the religious zionist party

A disturbing development in this election is the acceptance of openly racist and homophobic political party platforms. Current polling suggests the Religious Zionist Party - which promotes a toxic mix of Jewish Supremacist and homophobic positions - could attain important cabinet seats in any potential Netanyahu led governing coalition. 

An important question for our SA Jewish community and indeed all Diaspora communities, is how to react to this trend.The Jewish Democratic Initiative calls on all SA Jews – and particularly the Board of Deputies and the Zionist Fed - to explicitly and publicly reject and condemn Religious Zionism and its vile politics.

JDI Statement on Designation of Palestinian Civil Society Organisations as Terrorist Organisations

JDI calls on all organisations that stand for the protection of human rights, due process, and the integrity of Israel’s government and its armed forces, to demand that Minister Gantz either produce substantiating evidence immediately or reverse the military order outlawing these civil society organisations.

Attacks on human rights organisations prevents peace, justice and self-determination for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

JDI Welcomes the New Israeli Government

The Jewish Democratic Initiative welcomes, with cautious optimism, the new Israeli governing coalition. This “government of change” sees the ousting of Benjamin Netanyahu and the end to Israel’s political paralysis. Though this government may not represent the radical shift in policy and ideology towards which JDI advocates, we hope it is at least a step forward.

JDI Statement on the violent deterioration of the conflict in Israel and Gaza

The Jewish Democratic Initiative has witnessed with despair and horror the eruption of a new cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians. We unequivocally condemn all violence whether perpetrated by Israel, Hamas or extremists amongst Jews and Palestinians.

JDI supports the international appeal to Israel and Hamas to accept an immediate ceasefire. However, the only permanent insurance for stability and enduring peace for the State of Israel, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza and Palestinian-Israelis is to actively pursue negotiations with the goal of ending the Occupation, creating a pathway for peace between Palestinians and Israeli’s and enshrining equality of rights and resources for all citizens.

JDI denounces Likud Political Agreement with Extremist Parties

The Jewish Democratic Initiative views this as a fundamental step in further degrading Israel’s democracy.

Legitimising extremist beliefs serves to emphasise the schism between Diaspora Jews, whose rights are mostly protected by their governments, and Israeli’s whose civil rights are being eroded. Equal rights for every citizen is the bedrock of any Democracy. The Religious Zionism bloc advocates for a reduction of these rights.

JDI calls on all our communal organizations, institutions and bodies to publicly denounce this agreement. As a community we must make the distinction between the distorted values of this extremist political grouping - that has no place in any decent society - and our own.

The silence of our leadership is deafening

Where is the South African official communal leadership when we need them to take a moral stand? We swiftly pounce on the racism that is anti-Semitism. But why does leadership not publicly condemn prejudice and racism within our Jewish world and in Israel?