See: CLASH OF THE TITANS for related articles posted on MyShtetl.
The SA Zionist Federation chairman Avrom Krengel reported back to the community last night on the recent involvement of the Fed with Judge Richard Goldstone.
The meeting was likely the most vocal gathering of SA Jewry in a long time. There were both cheers and jeers as the large audience called for Fed chair Avrom Krengel to divulge what was discussed with Goldstone. But Krengel stuck to his guns, playing open cards on all issues barring that one hand he had undertaken to keep closed.
The community meeting, which has been billed as “Goldstone Saga: SAZF report-back,” was held on Monday 10 May at Beyachad.
Krengel explained to MyShtetl.co.za last week that "the public meeting is not about the outcome or contents of our meeting on Monday with Goldstone. In that meeting both parties agreed to keep the contents of the meeting confidential other than the opening statements and the press statement itself."
The purpose of next Monday’s meeting, explained Krengel, "is to explain and motivate the actions of the SAZF prior to the meeting.
"As a result of circumstances which I will explain to the audience, the SAZF has to date been prevented from motivating the Fed's actions to the community."
Unfortunately, most of those who attended he meeting were expectingto hear a report on the meeting and were vocally disappointed to have only heard what had led to the meeting. Below is the addresss by Avrom Krengel and the question and answer session that followed.
The following is a closely paraphrased excerpt of the speech made by SAZF Chairman Avrom Krengel:
Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Thanks for coming out tonight.
The purpose of tonight is simple – to give insight into the events relating to Judge Goldstone and the bar mitzvah.
We are not going to discuss the meeting of last week – all the information [we are able to give you] is on your chairs. I refer you to the last paragraph [of the press release] that says… “no information relating to the content of the meeting will be divulged.”
I will not talk about the meeting or answer any questions about the meeting. That is the sum total of what can be said about that.
What I really want to do here tonight, on behalf of the Fed is to give the motivation in the weeks leading up to meeting and the reasons I am doing that is that we were, in a sense, prevented from speaking to the community about what happened and why. In the media frenzy in the weeks prior to the bar mitzvah everyone else spoke. But we at the Fed could not share [our position] with the community at large.
As a mass-based organisation we felt it only right that we have an evening such as tonight. This is a report back
Where it all starts
It is very difficult to decide where to start.
I suppose for the Fed it goes back to 2005, when Israel decided on the disengagement from Gaza. I was there at the time. This was a very divisive issue for the people of Israel. The country was split down the middle.
I was there with the Chief Rabbi.
It caused tremendous sorrow and misery in Israel and in the end it was the closest Israel has come to a civil war. In the end, however, [the disengagement] went well.
It was basically done [as] a step to try and undo what seemed to be an unsolvable problem in Israel.
It was a chicken and egg situation. Wanting peace on the one hand, [but having security fears] on the other.
The intention was to try and clear the Gaza areas of Israeli soldiers and settlers.
Hamas took over
Unfortunately, in 2007 there was a Hamas takeover. [At first] there was, in a sense, dual control which was later overturned with Hamas taking over.
The world said [to Hamas]: “You are now the authority. If you want to engage with us, you will have to accept Israel’s right to exist and ratify prior agreements.”
Hamas refused and so the US, the EU and other countries withdrew. Egypt closed its borders [with Gaza].
There was a continuous rocket barrage [from Gaza into Israel] from 2001 which intensified in 2005 and even more so after 2007.
There were various ceasefires put in place. The last ended in mid-2008. Hamas refused to extend it and by December rockets started [raining down] on Sderot and other Israeli areas.
I have been the Chairman of the Zionist Federation for the last eight years. [ED: Krengel explained that prior to Cast Lead, terror was targeted at Israeli installations and institutions. It had never affected the relationship between SA Jewry and the general population.]
Operation Cast Lead
During and after Operation Cast Lead, however, the SA Jewish community became the target of the anger of South Africans. The hate speech of Barney Mazuku, and the deputy minister’s comments about the US being beholden to world Jewry [were the order of the day]. We have generally handled these matters well. The perpetrators have been censured.
That was the first six months of 2009.
The next six months was one of targeting SA Jews who served in the IDF – David Benjamin became a major target. He had already retired from active service and was in Cape Town during Cast Lead, but that didn’t stop them hounding him.
[This eventually] lead to the incidents [with Benjamin] at Wits Medical school. It really affected this community and its ties with Israel.
Then we had the Goldstone Report, which caused consternation throughout the Jewish world. Its biased nature offended world Jewry. SA Jews also very upset by it.
The seventy South Africans
This, in turn, lead to a less-known incident whereby 70 South African Jews were considered for prosecution by the SA authorities for serving in the IDF [during Cast Lead].
In terms of the report’s recommendations these boys could be tried [as war criminals – as well as in terms of the SA constitution]. It caused great anguish for the families of these boys.
We were called by parents to find out if it was safe for them to visit home. We discussed the matter with the authorities and told [the families it would be] okay. But it was made clear to us that if the UN and the International Criminal Court in The Hague (ICC) took this up, it would be a different matter.
Irwin Cottler wrote that if a historian looks back [into the records of the UNHRC] in 500 years, he would be excused for thinking that Israel was the only country of the time that ever did wrong.
A step towards The Hague
[The Goldstone] report is aimed [as a first step] leading up to the International Criminal Court in The Hague (ICC), which has previously only been used [as a platform to try perpetrators of] genocide and mass killings.
Only a US veto could stand in the way of that [referral to the ICC].
The problem with this report is that it can do incalculable harm to Israel and to its ability to defend its citizens. The IDF have identified the Goldstone Report as one of three single biggest threats to Israel.
[ED: Krengel explained that the SAZF represents the relationship between SA Jewry and the State of Israel. Other Jewish organisations have different briefs and constituencies.]
Differing mandates, different positions
Of course we are going to take a position different to the Board, the Chief Rabbi, etc on many issues.
Then came the situation of the bar mitzvah. If we allowed this to go unchallenged, what would world Jewry and Israel think of the SA Jewish community? Whenever an SA Jew travelled to Israel, what would we say when we are asked: What did you do?
Thousands have died while we sit back in the safe haven of SA. We send our children to Israel.
It was not so simple that we could have sat back and been silent, we would have been seen to be acquiescing.
There were those [in the community] who simply said: Too bad, too bad. You have to let him in. It’s a bar mitzvah boy’s special day. Never mind that there may be people who could not travel back to South Africa for a barmie because they had served in the IDF.
What the Fed had to consider
The Fed, however, had a much more difficult decision to make. We are the body that represents SA Jewry in respect of Israel. We had to consider other bar mitzvah boys of other families. For example, I was recently sent pictures of a bar mitzvah boy in Sderot, whose father was killed by a cassim rocket a few weeks before the bar mitzvah. How do we engage this barmie boy?
For me, and for the Fed, we have to consider young soldiers of the future. That someone will hesitate when they should not and lose their lives [because of the Goldstone Report].
In the context of that, the Fed felt that to do nothing was too much to ask of our organisation. We were fully mindful of the special day. We planned to stand outside the Shul, not inside, so that we could show Judge Goldstone how we felt as Jewish South Africans.
We consulted with a halachic authority regarding the Shabbos etc. We then entered into discussions with the [Sandton] Shul and told them what we planned to do. They consulted with the family, came back and said that Judge Goldstone would not come [to the bar mitvah] and so there would be no need to protest.
Fed agreed not to discuss
The Shul specifically asked us not to discuss the matter in media before the bar mitzvah. We agreed. It would [in any case] have been a quiet protest.
Within a day or two the whole issue was leaked to press and a Jewish Report headline read: “Goldstone barred.” We refused to engage the media [in terms of our undertaking] except to put [incorrect] positions right.
Towards the end of the second week we had achieved [our objectives of showing Goldstone and the world how SA Jewry felt] beyond our wildest dreams. We reassessed our position – as a mainstream organisation we had to look and try and create another avenue to [get our message out].
Proposed holding the meeting
Then, through the Board and the Shul, we proposed holding the meeting to express why we were so unhappy.
The concept of a protest was then abandoned and we stood down.
One of the concepts we were aware of was that of communal unity. It was not the main reason but there was a danger that some members of the community could act on their own.
During that week we had to work hard with the people who wanted to make a stand. We explained that the new idea was a suitable alternative.
During the last week there was no bad press, and at the meeting on Monday, which was not an easy meeting for any of the parties. As the Zionist Federation, we believe we achieved what we had set out to achieve and that our goals were substantially fulfilled.
I suppose as a community we will be talking about this for years to come – maybe there will even be a book written on the subject.
All’s Well That Ends Well
But, as far as I am concerned, a solution was achieved by, as William Shakespeare wrote: All’s Well That Ends Well.
The Fed, I think, highlighted what was perhaps not being expressed by the rest of the community. This was through no design of our own and I believe this is now apparent to everyone.
And there was a very constructive meeting held with Judge Goldstone. Now, we are hoping to move on.
I want to stress, in conclusion, that there were contrary positions taken by other organisations.
Unity through diversity
We respect that different people and organisations were coming from different places. It really was a case where there were no easy answers. The position of the Fed is that, going forward, the cohesiveness of the community is paramount.
At the end of the day, we as a Fed will work hard at unity through diversity. What has been... has been. We will work with everyone, whether they opposed us or supported us, to ensure that this community remains the wonderful community that it is.
Thank you.
The
Posted at: 22h40, Monday 10 May
The meeting at Beyachad tonight was likely the most vocal gathering of SA Jewry in a long time. There were both cheers and jeers as the large audience called for Fed chair Avrom Krengel to divulge what was discussed with Goldstone. But Krengel stuck to his guns, playing open cards on all issues barring that one hand he had undertaken to keep closed.
Follow our ball-by-ball commentary.
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS & ANSWERS
Aubrey Katzeff: Lectures on Goldstone in Cape Town. Quite clearly the Fed has a communications problem. While I am well informed on Goldstone, it is only today that I first heard where you are coming from. There are a number of us handling Goldstone internationally. This has been a PR problem and I really do believe that you owed it to keep your Cape [Zionist] Council informed. They are very much in the dark on this matter. I am glad to [infer from what you said] earlier that the Beth Din had nothing to do with this. I have come all the way up from Cape Town for this meeting … Your position and statement reflects [that of] Dershowitz. Tell us what happened at the meeting? Did Goldstone deal with the issues? APPLAUSE
Avrom Krengel We didn’t communicate during the days leading up to the barmie because we had a with the family. Don’t assume the Beth Din weren’t involved. Cape Council members were represented in the decision-making. I think the important outcome of the meeting was that we heard each other on what each side thought was good and bad. What we take from the meeting more than anything is that the meeting happened at all.
Basil Platsky I am here in my personal capacity as well as on behalf of the Mizrachi movement: I want to thank the leadership for the strong stand they took. Personally, I would have liked the demonstration to have gone ahead. I don’t think that in the last thousand years anyone has put Jews and Israel and the IDF soldiers in such peril. It is impossible to comprehend. Where was Goldstone for the eight years when the rockets were coming down on Israel? He was working his way up the ladder at the UN, that’s where. I want to disagree with your closing remark: This isn’t the end. This is only the beginning of our fight against Goldstone.
Steve Lurie Chairman of the Progressive Movement: A word that has come up a number of times is “Community.” My concern is that as a part of the community we [Progressive Jewry] were not consulted. And, at the subsequent meeting with Goldstone, we were again sidelined. I think [the outcome] has been a terrible pr disaster! I don’t know how you can meet with Judge Goldstone and not come back with a report-back? We as a community have a right to know [what happened at the meeting].
THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE
AK – I stand corrected, but I believe that [the SAZF] have the highest percentage representation of Progressive Jewry [of Jewish organisations] in SA. Two of our committee-members that made the decisions are affiliated to the Progressive community. I would like to give another illustration: a few years back when the SA Zionist Federation had Rabbi Wallach [a Progressive Rabbi] speak at an event, the Chief Rabbi refused to participate. Our decisions are often difficult. They are made by representatives from the widest constituency [of the Jewish community].
The audience were becoming impatient and rowdy that Krengel was sticking to his guns regarding the content of the meeting with Goldstone.
SHOUTS FROM THE AUDIENCE Why is it such a secret?
Advocate Gilbert Marcus – I don’t represent anyone, except in court. But I accompanied Judge Goldstone to the meeting. Avrom made a statement that the discussion [between Jewish leaders and Goldstone] was frank and open. It was in order to facilitate the openness [that the delegates agreed that the content would remain private].
Hymie Why can’t we know what happened? You say all’s well that ends well – Goldstone comes away smelling of roses!
APPLAUSE
AK I think that you do a disservice to the people who were [at the meeting]. For the first time [Judge Goldstone] faced the criticism of the community that he still feels part of.
Desmond Chairman of Beit David Sandton – The issue is communication. We had prepared a press communication which you asked us not to send. We need to walk the talk. We didn’t know the position. We only heard the rationale tonight. We felt left out.
AK – Everything that you say is valid and of concern. [We were faced with] an unique set of circumstances. I am happy to do similar meetings [explaining the Fed’s actions] and we do have to learn from this.
Leon Reich I want to make a point that was left out. A point that needs to be made. Anybody can express an opinion and take a position against Israel. But this is different. The Muslim states have hijacked the UNHRC. In this case [the UNHRC] was part of the ongoing war to implode the Jewish state. Judge Goldstone is not a stupid man. He knew [the plan] and he should never have taken [the job].
Naomi Limor from A Taste of Limud – I was not happy with the end of the speech. Everyone thought that SA Jews were apologising and asking for forgiveness from Judge Goldstone.
APPLAUSE
Unidentified Speaker This is a propaganda war and you have added to it. If you read the 597 pages of the report, Goldstone specifically states that the war had a legitimacy. But lets deal with the report and the fact that Israel didn’t participate. The part that I haven’t heard is whether the SAZF would do [the same thing] again? What you have learned?
AK – as I said in my opening statement [at the meeting with Goldstone] the Israeli event is small compared to the 350,000 civilians killed in other recent conflicts [involving] asymmetrical warfare – something other armies like the US do to [minimise] their own losses. This was the first time the UNHRC [requested] a report like this about an asymmetrical war. But for little Israel they did. Its that that outraged Jewry more than anything else. I am very proud of how [the Fed] acted. Of course we have learned about strategy. But on the principle we acted on – yes, we would do it again
Hazel Schochet I have no portfolio. I am disappointed that we did not hear about the outcome of the meeting. This is a lack of transparency. But I am going to be parochial, I am a grandmother. My grandson has just come back from two years serving in the IDF. Who is going to charge these kids if they do get charged. The UN? South Africa? I’d like to know if the Zionist Fed and other [Jewish] bodies in SA are keeping a watchful eye on who is identifying these 70 boys? And I’d like to know who did you consult with?
AK – I don’t want to go into too much detail on this issue other than to say that the Board and the Zionist Fed take this [issue] very seriously. This is a community that is proud of its association with Israel. [Suffice it to say, that] it is being attended to at highest level.
Dave Levine I have a bigger problem. I am an Israeli. My kids are Israelis. My grandson served on the Golan. My family want to come for the World Cup. I want to [hear] that the Fed is saying they can come?
AK laughs – Tell them to come! Our authorities are looking people with other profiles.
While there were a number of people who still wanted to pose public questions, Avrom Krengel assured everyone that he would stay and talk privately with anyone who wished to do so.
He closed the meeting at 9pm sharp with the following famous words from Abraham Lincoln:
“You can please some of the people all of the time; and all of the people some of the time; but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.”
PUBLISHERS’ NOTE: Please note that the words published here are excerpts and paraphrases of comments made by speakers and should in no way be construed as literal quotations
