Last Friday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry Director-General Dore Gold arrived in South Africa for a historic three-day visit. It was the first such visit by an Israeli diplomatic official of his rank in a decade, and it was surely galling to the local ‘Boycott Israel’ lobby that it coincided with the latter part of their “Israel Apartheid Week”. In the various meetings between Gold and his South African counterparts it was agreed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in water management, agriculture and technology, fields which are crucially important to South Africa’s national interests. We are encouraged to see that our government is no longer choosing to cut itself off from such beneficial partnerships simply to appease the radical anti-Israel lobby. Apart from the obvious lost beneficial opportunities for South Africa, such a policy would have (and has in the past had) no impact on Israel, done nothing whatsoever to advance peace prospects and would obviously not improve one iota the position of the Palestinians, the very people for whose sole benefit the BDS lobby claims to be acting.
Recent Articles
Edition of Mein Kampf being sold at Exclusive Books removed
The SAJBD was contacted by community members regarding the sale at Exclusive Books (OR Tambo International Airport) of an edition of Mein Kampf. The relevant edition contained no contextual explanation which we believe is necessary for educational purposes in selling a book of this nature. The SAJBD immediately wrote to the CEO and have been in contact with Exclusive Books to resolve the situation. We have received a confirmation that, “The version of Mein Kampf published by OM International has been removed from the 2 stores that carried it, and is no longer for sale or to order.”
The Jewish Nomads Chai FM Radio Interview
The Jewish Nomads Chai FM Radio Interview with Charisse Zeifert
The SAJBD is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic killing of two Israeli Embassy staff members
The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic killing of two Israeli Embassy staff members Aharon Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 2025. We condemn this senseless act of terror in the strongest terms and express our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the victims. This tragic attack underscores the ongoing vulnerability of Jewish communities around the world, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and security. The SAJBD stands in solidarity with the Israeli Embassy and the Jewish community, rejecting all forms of hate and violence.