​Al Jama-ah Fails Joburg Residents

Al Jama-ah Fails Joburg Residents

The political party Al Jama-ah are seemingly attempting to stonewall and obstruct the functioning of the City of Johannesburg, by putting a foreign conflict above the interests of its own citizens. Our landscape is such that representatives from across the political spectrum are expected to work together to provide leadership and good governance. Joburg is currently struggling to provide its own residents with electricity, water, functioning transport infrastructure, healthcare and other social services. If there was ever a time to for our politicians to roll up their sleeves and get work done, it is now.

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) is outraged that Al Jama-ah, has put a distant conflict above the interests of its own citizens. It is reportedly refusing to work with political parties “who support Israel”.

It is unclear what “supporting” Israel means. The majority of countries, including South Africa, support a two-state solution, as do the majority of our political parties. The two-state solution is clearly not supported by Al-Jama-ah who are attempting to introduce extremist views into Johannesburg. In essence, it seems that Al-Jama-ah wants no Israel. We want no potholes, functioning hospitals and all a world class city that Joburg promises to be.

We call on all our political parties to work together in the interests of its own citizens and to not allow an extremist, anti-peace, and single-focused issue be the deciding factor on our local politics.

Issued by Harold JacobsGauteng ChairpersonSAJBD