“Today was a victory for Jews ... SAUJS will continue to defend the State of Israel and the cause of Human Rights around the world." STEPH HODES.
Read the previous day's background story on MyShtetl:
Students “can’t remain silent” – plan to protest
The SA Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS) was unable to secure permission for their planned public protest march in Pretoria this afternoon. Undaunted, however, around 200 protesters gathered to hold a legal rally legally at Colbyn Golf Park, some 2km away from the offices of the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRC).
After the rally, which was addressed by four speakers, the protesters drove in a convoy of cars and busses to the offices of DIRC, and, as had earlier been agreed by the authorities, a delegation of only 15 were allowed to get out of their vehicles to hand over their petition to Mr Saul Molobi, spokesman for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, who accepted it on behalf of Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim (see petition below).
The rally had been lively and was addressed by SAUJS’ national chairperson Stephanie Hodes, SA Zionist Federation chairman Avrom Krengel, Rabbi Perez and ACDP MP Steve Swart.
The ACDP was amongst many non-Jewish supporters of the protest against SA recalling ambassador Ismail Coovadia from Israel. Zimbabwe’s MDC were there, as were Christian organisations such as Bridges for Peace and Christian Friends of Israel. African organisations like Congo for Peace and the Biafra National Congress were also represented and showed their support for the students.
The delegation of 15 representatives that presented the petition to high ranking officials outside DIRC’s offices was led by SAUJS’ Steph Hodes. Accompanying her were Fed chairman Avrom Krengel, Israel Centre Shaliach Shimon Shamila, Rabbi Perez, Ilan Solomons, representatives of the various SAUJS committees and also included non-Jewish representation such as Congo for Peace.
“Saul Molobi was very accommodating,” says Steph, who read the memo before handing it over. She says Molobi told the delegation that they hadn’t wanted to make any decision without having the facts and that was why they had recalled the ambassador. “They said they didn’t want to make decisions based on media reports,” she told MyShtetl afterwards.
Steph says she was told that DIRC “hoped the Ambassador would be back in Israel within two weeks.” Steph says she was happy with the explanation and hopes that this is what happens. “If not, I will happily organise another protest in two weeks time,” says the diminutive firebrand.
”SAUJS will continue to cast a vigilant eye”
"Today, the South African Union of Jewish Students took the fight for fairness in the Middle East to the gates of Government itself,” national chairperson of SAUJS Stehanie Hodes told MyShtetl after the protest.
“As proudly South African Jews, backed by a multitude of supporters from across the political spectrum, we presented a memorandum to [Govt] expressing our utter dismay and outrage on the decision of the South African Government to recall our Ambassador to Israel.
“Today was a victory for Jews, South Africans and all those concerned with creating a Human Rights culture in South Africa. SAUJS will continue to cast a vigilant eye on anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism in our country, particularly on our university campuses. We will continue to defend the State of Israel and the cause of Human Rights around the world," said Steph.
The Petition
Dear Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim,
As peace-loving citizens of South Africa, we are here today to express our dismay and outrage at your recent decision to recall our Ambassador to the State of Israel, His Excellency Ambassador Ismail Coovadia.
While we understand and acknowledge that the situation surrounding the recent actions taken by the Israeli government are contentious, the recalling of an Ambassador is a draconian abuse of diplomatic policy. The last time an Ambassador was recalled from service from another country was in Nigeria in 1995 for the murder of peace poet Ken Saro-Wiwa. It concerns us that you have chosen to focus your diplomatic censure on the only democratic state in the Middle East, who’s values echo those that are enshrined in our own much revered constitution.
In light of your frequent associations with the terrorist entity of Hamas who call for the destruction of the State of Israel and world Jewry, your decision to recall the Ambassador is premature, unjustified and a double standard of the highest order.
This is not simply a concern of the South African Jews, but it is an issue that affects a plethora of other communities who have suffered at the hands of poor foreign policy. Standing with us today are representatives of some of these groups who attest to such unjust hypocrisy.
We hereby call on you in the name of justice and reconciliation to return Ambassador Coodavia to his post immediately and we call on the South African government to act in a just and equitable manner, and to restore its image as a bastion of Human Rights in the International Community.
South African Union of Jewish Students
SAUJS rally - around 200 protesters, many not Jews, listened to speakers over a megaphone.JPG
While I commend these
While I commend these students and communual leaders, my own opinion is that they are wasting their time.
If the S.African govt.can withdraw their ambassador for such a "minor" incident, can one imagine what their action will be when Israel will one day be compelled to expel/transfer millions of hostile Arabs from the Land of Israel?
I would suggest to Rabbi Perez that he "preach" to the S.A.U.J.S. the fact that Jews in S.Africa (and all over the Diaspora), are living in a foreign Land, and any attempt to extend their stay is against the wishes of the Almighty.
There is no future for Jews in exile.
After nearly 2000years of exile, God in His mercy, has returned sovreignty of Eretz Yisrael to the Jewish people.
Any action by a host country outside of Israel which appears to be anti- Israel is a sure sign for Jews to make Aliyah.
I urge all communal leaders, and Rabbis to inspire the youth to put all their energies in the only future they have- Eretz Yisrael.
Remember; Before WW2 almost all religious leaders encouraged their communities to remain where they were.
We all know the tragic consequences of their judgements.
Time is short. Protests (to remain in exile) are useless, and counter produtive.
They only serve to 'prove' that you are loyal Jewish S.Africans- for how long?
Make your choice now, and come Home to your only safe future for your children and grand-children
So proud of our amazing
So proud of our amazing SAUJS! They carried our community on their shoulders. Kol Hakavod Steph (you are so wonderfully articulate!) and your Team!!!