SAJBD calls on President Ramaphosa to condemn hate crime against the Jewish community

SA Jewish Board of Deputies calls on President Ramaphosa to condemn hate crime against the Jewish community

Last Thursday, a suspected explosive device was thrown over the wall of the Jewish communal offices in Gardens, Cape Town. This was an act of antisemitism aimed at the Jewish community, whether intended to intimidate or to cause physical harm. It was an illegal act that constitutes a hate crime. This incident is concerning not only to SA Jewry, but also to the greater South African society and has garnered much global attention. Arson and bomb attacks against Jewish institutions have become sadly commonplace in other parts of the world, but this is the first time in many years that a Jewish communal facility in South Africa has been targeted.

The Mayor of Cape Town, the SA Police Services and now the Hawks have approached the situation with the extreme gravity that it deserves. However, nearly a week later, there has still been no word of condemnation nor any expression of support for South Africa’s Jewish community from President Ramaphosa. This is not the first time that events that have directly affected the SA Jewish community, have been met with silence from the Presidency.

This silence is all the more perplexing in view of how unequivocal other leaders around the world have been in standing with their Jewish communities when they have experienced threats. They include those of Australia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States and the United Arab Emirates. Our own country’s elected President, however, has, in nearly a week, failed to condemn this incident.

A year ago, on 13 December, the Jewish communal leadership met with the President to express concerns about growing antisemitism that was spiralling in our country, and to call for him to speak out against this hate. A year later we are again forced to call on our President to speak out against this violent attack clearly aimed at our community.