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 returning alive. And our sympathies and unwavering love go out to the families of those hostages who will return only as mortal remains.
It is deeply regrettable that the South African government has forsaken its legacy as a beacon of peace-building and dialogue. With its historical ties to Hamas and Iran, including direct engagement with their leaders following the October 7 terror attacks, South Africa was uniquely positioned to act as a mediator, potentially sparing countless lives and alleviating immense suffering for Israelis and Gazans alike. Yet, it chose to abandon its principles, opting for partisanship over impartiality, virtue-signalling over governance, and political posturing over diplomacy. By prioritizing appearances over substantive action, South Africa rendered itself irrelevant, excluded from the coalition of nations that forged this peace and will shape the future of Israel and Gaza. As 20 nations convene on African soil to discuss Gaza’s future, South Africa’s absence from the table speaks volumes about its squandered potential.
Today, Jews around the world will recite the prayer Shehechiyanu, vekiyimanu, vehigiyanu lazaman haze- thanking the Creator for keeping us alive, sustaining us and bringing us to this moment. And today, as our families are reunited after 737 days, we say this prayer with renewed vigour and a hope that the end of this horrific conflict will usher in a new era, a lasting peace and a period of prosperity for all the people of the region.