​Statement by SAJBD and SAZF on the discontinuation of ELAL flights to SA

Statement by SAJBD and SAZF on the discontinuation of ELAL flights to SA

ELAL Airlines has announced that they will be discontinuing their weekly flights between South Africa and Israel. During our meeting with El Al last year, it became apparent that operating a once-a-week flight was economically challenging for them. Unfortunately, even increasing the frequency to three times a week did not attract the expected passenger numbers. As a private company, El Al's operations are driven by commercial viability.

The potential loss of El Al’s direct flights is devastating for our community. However, we also acknowledge that the current travel landscape offers multiple alternative options for travel between Israel and South Africa, a significant change from the situation 15 years ago when these flights were last at risk.

Our ongoing dialogue with El Al and the Israeli government is open and constructive. We are proactively exploring various strategies and proposals around the economic feasibility of this route, and potentially finding a solution that could see the reinstatement of El Al's direct flights in the future. Our community deeply values its connection with Israel, and we are dedicated to maintaining and strengthening this bond through all available means.

Recent Articles

International Holocaust Remembrance Day - Together we stand. Together We Remember.

As Holocaust Survivor Elie Wiesel said “For the dead and the living, we must bear witness”.

Today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz, we honor the memory of the six million Jewish lives brutally murdered by the Nazis and the resilience of the survivors who ensure the Holocaust is never forgotten.

Today, the SAJBD’s national Chairperson Prof Karen Milner and Vice President Mary Kluk stood with Holocaust survivor Ruth Cohen at the entrance to Auschwitz Birkeneau as she returned to the concentration camp 80 years later.

Together we stand. Together We Remember.

Funeral of Olga Meshoe Washington

The funeral of Olga Meshoe Washington took place in Haifa on January 22 at 13:00 South Africa time.

While the funeral will took place in Israel, the Meshoe family arranged a memorial service for Olga which took place on Sunday, 26 January. All of the Jewish community were invited to attend with transport both to and from the memorial service.

Olga continued to show up for the South African Jewish community, now was our time to show up for her and give comfort to the family.

Please see Read More to view the YouTube recording.

SAJBD stands in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Israel

We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world, sharing in the relief and gratitude for the safe return of Emily, Romy and Doron to their families in Israel. We pray for their physical and emotional healing as they and their loved ones embark on the journey of recovery.

We continue to call for the safe and immediate release of all remaining hostages.