While South Africa goes to The Hague against Israel, former South Africans living in Israel go to central city square in protest against South Africa.

By Rolene Marks

“Many of us here fought apartheid because it went against our morals and values as Jews, as Zionists. We said not on our watch. We will not be silent. We were not silent then and we will not be silent now as South Africa singles out the only Jewish state for condemnation and opprobrium. It is a betrayal of what we fought for. It is a betrayal of South Africa’s noble constitution. We will not be silent.”

It was a privilege to address a protest of South African Olim who gathered in Ra’anana to protest the growing hostility shown to Israel by South Africa. In the last two decades, bilateral relations between the two countries have been frosty – but since 7 October, they have been icy. Bilateral relations between the southern African country and the Jewish state are so icy you can skate on them.

In the wake of the 7/10, massacre and war against Hamas, the ANC and supporters have grown increasingly more hostile towards the Jewish state, culminating in the court case at the International Court of Justice at The Hague. Outraged South Africans in Israel also wanted to stand in protest against this but also in solidarity with Jews in South Africa who are experiencing a rise in antisemitism.

Master of Ceremonies, Truth be Told’s David Kaplan made a point of saying, “The demonstration is not against South Africa or its people, but against its disgraceful government. I am proud to stand here as an Israeli, but I am ashamed of the government of my homeland, for stooping so low. It is a danger to Judaism.”

Despite the inclement weather, the protest attracted between 150-200 people outside Yad Labanim in Ra’anana. The venue was not just convenient, but the display of metal hearts, each bearing the name and face of a hostage currently held in Gaza by Hamas terrorists, was an aching reminder that while we could protest freely, 134 men, women and children are still in captivity. At the time of writing, it was confirmed by the IDF that 2 hostages had been rescued in a daring operation in Rafah. It was also confirmed last week that 32 hostages had been killed, and their families notified.

Wandering amongst the flag-bearing crowd, many expressed their anger at the ANC – but also great concern about the growing hostility of the ANC and their supporters – and how it affects the Jewish community. “My elderly parents are there, they cannot afford to make Aliya and I am really worried,” said one flag-bearing protester who preferred not to tell me her name. Christian allies came to show their solidarity which was so greatly appreciated.

Organised by Truth be Told, a media rapid response team and Telfed, the event was not against South Africa or its citizens, but an important opportunity for the olim community to express their outrage. Outrage was specifically targeted at the allegations of genocide. Many in the crowd had children or grandchildren serving in the IDF. The accusations of genocide are very personal to Israelis – we know our army follows the strictest code of conduct and we are still reeling from that Black Sabbath. For South Africans in Israel, the feeling of betrayal by the country we were raised in was palpable. Harris Green from Truth be Told, addressed the crowd, “My father was born in South Africa, he served his country and he would be outraged at what has happened. It is a betrayal of the Jewish community who fought to end Apartheid and contributed so much to South Africa.”

Other speakers included Telfed Chairman, Maish Isaacson, SAZF Spokesperson, Rolene Marks, Simon Wiesenthal Centre Chief Nazi Hunter, Dr Efraim Zuroff, bereaved father, Clive Chitiz, and a musical tribute to Israel’s fallen soldiers by Richard Shavei Tzion and his daughter, Tanya Yuspov. Tears flowed as Tanya, in her beautiful voice, pleaded:

 “Avinu Malkeinu – our Father, Our King”

Former Knesset member Ruth Wasserman Lande, who was raised in Cape Town and graduated from Herzlia High School before making Aliyah, spoke about her experience speaking to the South African media during these last few months and how they failed to broadcast an interview with her that explained the Israeli experience. Wasserman Lande addressed the ANC’s motivation for hostility against Israel adding:

“Justice is with us; the ruling party of South Africa has sold its soul to Iran.”

Clive Chitiz, whose son Yaron fell in battle in Gaza, reading the last interaction between them, spoke about how his son had assisted civilians in Gaza and how throughout his 82 days of service, not a single bullet had been fired. Accusing Israel of the crime of crimes, genocide, is an appalling insult to the IDF soldiers who take every precaution to save civilian lives.

Dr. Zuroff compared the ANC’s actions to the infamous UN declaration in 1975, stating that Zionism is racism. The ANC’s accusation of genocide is the most modern iteration of the ancient blood libels against Jews – this time against the Jewish state.

The message of the protest, which drew many curious onlookers, was not just to condemn the ANC for their growing alliances with pariah states like Iran and terror organisations like Hamas, but also to show the community in South Africa that we resolutely stand with you.

A message of solidarity from Zev Krengel on behalf of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBOD) was read out by former Telfed vice-chair Hilary Kaplan as was a message from the chairman of the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF), Rowan Polovin by the writer. Polovin encouraged those who are eligible to vote in the upcoming elections, to please do so. The message of the protest, which drew many curious onlookers, was not just to condemn the ANC for their growing alliances with pariah states like Iran and terror organisations like Hamas, but also to show the community in South Africa that we resolutely stand with you.

We stand with you – but we are crying for the beloved country.

*Feature picture: Courtesy Ilan Ossendryver

While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).