From Pretoria to Johannesburg! A day that began at the University of Pretoria and concluded at the University of Johannesburg 20th Anniversary celebration - a testament to the power of connection, collaboration, and community. The SAJBD remains committed to engaging with universities across South Africa, fostering partnerships and meaningful dialogue on behalf of the South African Jewish community.

Today the SAJBD stands strong outside the Cape High Court to hear SC Adv Fagan’s legal response to UCT’s legal arguments on behalf of Prof Adam Mendelsohn. The case regards UCT Council’s adoption of resolutions to boycott Israel and on the definition of antisemitism. This is a watershed case, the outcome of which will help determine whether Jewish South Africans can continue to rely on constitutional protections when their dignity and safety are at risk in public institutions

Today Prof Mendelsohn’s legal Council Advocate Fagan will be responding to the oral arguments which were made on behalf of UCT last week in the Cape High Court. A brief summary of this case and why it is important for SA Jewry is below: UCT’s Head of the Kaplan Centre is taking UCT to court challenging the Council’s process, lack of consultation and the impact of these resolutions. In June 2024, UCT’s Council passed 2 resolutions 1.⁠ ⁠To Boycott Israel 2.⁠ ⁠To reject the IHRA

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Adv Geoff Budlender SC made submissions for South African Jews for Free Palestine. He questioned whether it was necessary to consult the Jewish community on how to define Antisemitism on campus stating that SAJBD and Mendelsohn are merely using this as a tactic to stop criticism of Israel on UCT. He argued against the need to engage with those impacted by Antisemitism ie Jewish staff and students saying that it was as important to also consult non-Jewish people on Antisemitis

Resolutions taken on by the UCT Council in 2024 are being taken on review by Prof Adam Mendelsohn

📍The SAJBD appreciate the Cape Jewish and Christian community who came to support our case both inside and outside of the Cape Town High Court today.

Adv. Thembeka stated that the UCT Council chose to bear the financial consequences of its resolutions because of the “moral imperative” to boycott Israel. Yet it seems UCT felt no comparable moral imperative to protect its own Jewish students and academics from the antisemitism and discrimination they have faced on the UCT campus — the very community the Council is meant to SAFEGUARD!! Nor did the Council appear moved by the plight of the 288 students whose funding would be j

Two suspicious objects were found in the Glenhazel area. The bomb squad was called in. They have checked both devices and they weren't explosive. The area has been fully opened.

SAJFP legal team challenging the legal requirements of UCT Council to consult stakeholders, say non-Jews should be included. We see the claim that "those who would be accused of antisemitism should also be spoken to" would be like demanding the AWB be consulted on definition of racism. #StopAntisemitismOnUCT @BroadattheBoard @CapeTimesSA @CapeTalk @sajewishreport @ADL @uctjustkidding @News24 @SABCNews

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A key issue in this case is UCT Council’s decision to reject the IHRA definition of antisemitism without consulting the Jewish community, who are the ones directly affected by antisemitism. The SA Jewish Board of Deputies has stepped in as a friend of the court, challenging the UCT Council decision. Ultimately, as Adv Adhikari eloquently points out, definitional debates are interesting, but one must not ever forget that antisemitism is experienced by people - their lived real

Adv Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC is presenting the UCT council’s case Judge Sher has debated that weight needed to be attached to the financial consequences of the decision to adopt the resolution including financial loss of R200 million donation to the UCT from Donald Gordon Foundation, 288 students not being funded by the Dell foundation and the donation of a hospital to UCT. This was due to the fact that the resolution to change the definition of Antisemitism was in conflict to

Graffiti at the protest by SA Jews for Free Palestine (SAJFP) and other anti- Israel activist groups included an inverted red triangle, a deeply threatening symbol widely recognised as having antisemitic intent. This symbol has become a rallying image for Hamas and its supporters globally. During the Holocaust, the Nazis implemented a systematic classification system for prisoners in concentration camps, using color-coded inverted triangular badges sewn onto uniforms. This al

On Monday evening, 11 November, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies celebrated its 120th anniversary with a gala dinner attended by more than 300 guests, including ministers; deputy ministers; the heads of parliamentary portfolio committees; representatives from eight political parties; members of the diplomatic corps; a 16-person delegation from the American Jewish Council; two chief rabbis; more than 40 journalists; student leaders; interfaith community representativ

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) has applied to be admitted as an amicus curia (friend of the court) in the matter of Mendelsohn v University of Cape Town Council (UCT). This case concerns resolutions adopted by the UCT Council supporting a boycott of Israel. The case will take place this Thursday 23 and Friday 24 October. The SAJBD will provide relevant information regarding the hostile environment in which these resolutions were adopted, particularly their

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) condemns the planned protest against the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre (JHGC) by a coalition of organisations, including South African Jews for a Free Palestine (SAJFP), Africa4Palestine, the Palestine Solidarity Alliance, and BDS South Africa. These groups represent a broader campaign of anti-Jewish activity in South Africa, which continues to disguise its agenda under a pro-Palestinian guise. Through coordinate

Two years ago, on the morning of the festival Simchat Torah, the Jewish world was shattered by a brutal attack. Today, as we stand on the cusp of Simchat Torah once more, our spirits lifted by the long-awaited release of those held captive. We extend our heartfelt thanks to America and the Arab nations, including our fellow African nation- Egypt, who have brought about this historical moment. Our hearts will be forever scarred by the knowledge that not all of the hostages are

Opinion | Double standards, delegitimization: SAJBD rejects ‘moral blindness' accusations News 24 David Saks Tony Karon’s would-be take down of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies (‘Welcome to the club: SAJBD’s ‘Anti-Semite label reveals its own moral blindness’, 10 September) is predicated on the supposed “moral blindness” of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) in having baselessly affixed the ‘antisemite’ label onto someone, in this case Department of International Relation