ConCourt judgment confirms freedom of expression not a license for racism David Saks says ruling is likely to resonate widely in the ongoing battle against global anti-Semitism Masuku judgment confirms freedom of expression not a license for racism “The comments and statements made are of an extreme nature that advocate and imply that the Jewish and Israeli community are to be despised, scorned, ridiculed and thus subjecting them to ill-treatment on the basis of their religio

“We can make sure that for that side it will be hell … something that may necessarily cause what is regarded as harm”. These chilling words rang in my ears. As a young South African sitting in a university classroom, I never expected that my association with a group of people, a member of the South African Jewish community, would deem me a target for violence and unwelcome in my own country. It was March 2009 and I was attending an Israel Apartheid Week talk co-hosted by COSA

Wednesday 16 February 2022 The SA Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) welcomes today’s Constitutional Court judgment confirming that COSATU International Relations Secretary Bongani Masuku must apologise for offensive and inflammatory remarks he made against the Jewish community in 2009. The ruling substantially upholds the conclusions reached initially by the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and thereafter by the Equality Court that Masuku was guilty of contravening s10 of th

Dear President Ramaphosa and Minister Pandor As you are aware, South African Jewry has strong religious, historical, familial and cultural ties with the State of Israel. In light of this the SA Jewish Board of Deputies, as the community’s representative spokesbody and civil rights lobby, takes a particular interest in the relationship between South Africa and Israel. It is for this reason that we wish to raise with you our unease and hurt regarding what can only be described

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) commends President Cyril Ramaphosa for accepting the credentials of newly appointed Israeli Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Eliav Belotsecovsky. The SAJBD has consistently expressed the belief that our government can play an important and unique role in peace-making efforts between Israelis and Palestinians. Hopefully, the commencement of the new Israeli ambassador’s term will signal a change, resulting in South Africa re-enga

The SA Jewish Board of Deputies is saddened by the passing of the renowned human rights activist and anti-apartheid stalwart Max Coleman. During the 1980s Mr Coleman, together with his wife Audrey and sons Keith, Neil and Colin, was extensively involved in opposing the repressive and unjust policies of the apartheid regime. In response to the detaining without trial of political dissidents, he and Audrey founded the Detainees’ Parents Support Committee, which provided food cl

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was an internationally recognised symbol of South Africa's successful transition from Apartheid to democracy and the process of reconciliation that followed it. During the years of the anti-apartheid struggle, he was an inspirational figure for those committed to a just society free from the evils of racial prejudice and discrimination. The SAJBD extends its sincerest condolences to the Tutu family and to the Anglican community in South Africa.

Al Jama-ah Fails Joburg Residents The political party Al Jama-ah are seemingly attempting to stonewall and obstruct the functioning of the City of Johannesburg, by putting a foreign conflict above the interests of its own citizens. Our landscape is such that representatives from across the political spectrum are expected to work together to provide leadership and good governance. Joburg is currently struggling to provide its own residents with electricity, water, functioning

Our Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture has been noticeably absent these past eighteen months. He has been largely silent about artists who appealed to him for help during the COVID lockdown. His response to the closing down of national heritage treasures like the Apartheid Museum and Lilliesleaf Farm was appalling. His disinterest in upholding the real issues facing our arts and cultural imperatives have been palpable. Yet when it comes to placating the radical anti-Israel

BDS may have changed their name and branding to the PSA and Africa4Palestine but their aggressive, in-your-face bullying and harassment of people who hold an alternate view remains. For over a decade they have intimidated members of the SA Jewish community who have dared to oppose their radical anti-Israel narrative. SA Jewry have been threatened in the shops, at concerts and on University campuses where BDS groups routinely resort to threats, intimidation, smear campaigns an

View, the recording of the SAJBD National Conference 2021, as well the 2021 Report Back As the representative spokesbody of South African Jewry, the SAJBD ensures that the voice of the community is heard on all issues that concern it. To this end, it maintains effective channels of communication and forges sound working relationships with leading figures in the political, media, educational and civil society spheres. The Board safeguards the Jewish community against antisemit

The SAJBD is saddened to report the passing today of long-serving SAJBD member and doyen of the Jewish community of KwaZulu-Natal John Moshal. The scion of one of Durban Jewry’s leading families, John was inspired by his uncle, the distinguished community leader and philanthropist Sol Moshal, to become involved in Jewish communal affairs. Among other positions held, he served as Chairman of the United Communal Fund, as President (later Honorary Life President) of the Council

Register now at https://bit.ly/NavigatingElect ... Tuesday 12 October | 19.00 Are our upcoming elections the most important and unpredictable yet? Join journalist Stephen Grootes as he speaks to a panel of experts in helping us traverse the implications of these local government elections. Register now at https://bit.ly/NavigatingElect ...

Wednesday 6 October | 19:00 Register now at https://bit.ly/GreatDebate_Oct ... Get to know your politicians and ask the questions you want answers for at THE GREAT DEBATE. Hosted by Mandy Wiener with representatives from political parties and an introduction to Local Government elections by Thembelani Mazibuko, Researcher at the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa. Register now at https://bit.ly/GreatDebate_Oct ...

It’s local government election time! Volunteer now to be a member of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies' 'Make us Count' Election Observer Team and witness South Africa's democracy in action. Accredited by the IEC, 'Make us Count' Election Observer Team will be involved in all aspects of voting day to ensure the process is free and fair. For more info, and to register to be part of this unique community initiative, sign up at https://bit.ly/3txoNPs or contact makeuscountsa@gmai

Don’t miss out on the final voter registration weekend before the local government elections 2021! Make sure you are registered and check your details by visiting your nearest polling station 18/19 September between 8am & 5pm (Voting station finder https://maps.elections.org.za/vsfinder/ ) or use the IEC’s online portal at https://registertovote.elections.org.za/Welcome . For more information contact the IEC on 0800 11 8000

OPINION | Charisse Zeifert: Growing antisemitism is alarming | News24

It is twenty years since the notorious UN World Conference Against Racism took place in Durban. We watched with horror as blatant antisemitism was unleashed on the Durban streets, campaigns that in the past two decades have plagued us in South Africa and around the world. Join South African and Global leadership in remembering this toxic event and hear their insights as to how these hateful campaigns became the breeding ground for a new and vicious expression of international

The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) has reprimanded Power FM for contravening the BCCSA Free-to-air Code of Conduct for Broadcasting Service Licensees. This follows a complaint against Power FM lodged by the SA Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD). The SAJBD’s complaint was based on a programme broadcast on 12 May 2021 during which several callers-in propagated various antisemitic conspiracy theories without being challenged by the host Lukhona Mnguni,

The SA Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) has applauded the African Union Commission’s (AUC) decision to provide observer status to the State of Israel. In a letter to AUC chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, the SAJBD, the representative body of the largest Jewish community on the African continent, commended the organisation’s “bold and far-sighted decision”. This move demonstrates the AUC’s commitment to dialogue and bridge-building and has enhanced the potential for engagement