The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) notes with contempt the attack on the South African Jewish community in Parliament by Al Jama-ah. On 4 March, Al Jama-ah tabled a Motion without Notice in which they accuse the SAJBD, the 121 year-old democratically elected representative body of the Jewish community, of curtailing freedom of speech.
We note the irony of their statement, as it is the anti-Israel lobby that is doing whatever they can to threaten Jewish voices, including by bringing this motion to Parliament. Since October 7, our community have been subjected to violence and intimidation. It is further pointing out that the leader of the Al Jama-ah party, Ganief Hendricks has a long history of attacking Jewish communal organisations and is an unashamed supporter of Hamas.
South Africa is a democracy which protects freedom of expression, as enshrined in our Constitution. The South African Jewish community will not be silenced by those who continuously seek to intimidate us.
We acknowledge and thank the ACDP, FF+ and the DA parties for rejecting this libellious attack on SA Jewish communities elected representative body.
