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t
south african n Volume 24 – Number 3 n 31 January 2020 n 5 Shevat 5780
T h e sour c e of qual i t y co n tent, n ews an d insights
www.sajr.co.za
1950
to YUD SHVAT
2020
Lubavitch
Foundation
Maud Eyston Sumner,
Knysna Heads,
Tear drop earrings set oil on canvas
with old cut diamonds SOLD R50,000
SOLD R22,000
2020 Kick-Off Auction
Art & antiques auction on 15 February 2020 9:30am Brown leather Chesterfield
Items wanted for forthcoming auctions 3-seater sofa
SOLD R22,000
Lalique Danaides Vase,
View upcoming auction highlights at www.rkauctioneers.co.za marked R Lalique France
011 789 7422 • 011 326 3515 • 083 675 8468 • 12 Allan Road, Bordeaux, Johannesburg SOLD R50,000
t
south african n Volume 24 – Number 3 n 31 January 2020 n 5 Shevat 5780
T h e sour c e of qual i t y co n tent, n ews an d insights
www.sajr.co.za
Anti-Semitic incidents in SA at 15-year low
NICOLA MILTZ “Drivers of anti-Semitism are multifactorial, but it might go some way in explaining the France this week recorded a total of 687
and shifts in any one of these factors could apparent contradiction between attitudes and anti-Semitic incidents in 2019, of which 151
T
he number of anti-Semitic incidents in change the scenario quickly. We should be actions. The truth of the matter is that we were violent. South African recorded one
South Africa dropped to a 15-year low pleased about the drop in incidents while don’t really know.” violent anti-Semitic incident.
in 2019, according to the latest figures remaining vigilant.” Saks attributed the relatively low number of It occurred in January 2019 in Scottburgh
issued by the South African Jewish Board of Being vigilant involves educating where incidents to a number of factors. in KwaZulu-Natal. According to the board,
Deputies (SAJBD) this week. necessary, maintaining zero tolerance for The board’s zero-tolerance approach is one a Jewish man was verbally abused and
An anti-Semitism report released this anti-Semitism, and using the country’s civil factor. then physically attacked by three local men
week showed that a total of 36 anti-Semitic protections to ensure that anti-Semites are “Whenever there is an identifiable after they learned he was Jewish. His (non-
incidents of abuse and harassment were held to account, Milner said. perpetrator, every reasonable effort will Jewish) friend came to his assistance, and
logged by the SAJBD and Community Security Commenting on the discrepancy between be made to make that person accountable, in the ensuing fight, one of the attackers
Organisation (CSO) last year. the latest incident report and the ADL survey, publicly if necessary [which is why we make was hospitalised. The community member
This was more than a 40% drop from the 62 Saks said one needs to distinguish between sure to publicise our more high profile cases suffered a badly cut lip.
incidents logged in 2018, and close to a 50% anti-Semitic acts (doing bad things to Jews) in the media]. Our experience is that those we An international comparison of violent anti-
drop from the annual average of 66 incidents and anti-Semitic discourse (saying bad things publicly take on for anti-Semitism seldom if Semitic incidents recorded in 2018 reveals
recorded since 2006, the report said. about Jews). ever repeat such behaviour.” that there were 123 incidents in the United
David Saks, the associate director of the “South Africa has very low rates in the first The message being that if you cross the line, Kingdom, 81 in France, 62 in Germany, and 11
SAJBD, told the SA Jewish Report that the category, but not necessarily in the second, you will be made to answer for it, no matter in Canada. One case of violence was recorded
decline could in part be attributed to “relative which is probably impossible to measure how long it takes. in South African in 2018.
quiet” on the Israeli-Palestinian front, accurately in any case. The ADL survey really Visible security outside Jewish installations Canada experienced 2 041 non-violent
notwithstanding the flare-up that occurred deals with a third category, namely thinking is another deterrent. “All in all, knowing that anti-Semitic incidents in 2018 compared
late in the year between Israel and Palestinian bad things about Jews without necessarily Jews aren’t an easy target, and that there with the UK’s 1 652, France’s 541,
Islamic Jihad in Gaza. ever expressing or acting on such beliefs. It could well be unpleasant consequences for Australia’s 366, and South Africa’s 62
He said these figures are consistent with may well be that there is more anti-Semitic attempting to harm them will likely have incidents.
the relatively low rates of anti-Semitism in sentiment out there than we realise, but persuaded many potential anti-Semites that Saks said South Africa had a culture of
South Africa that have been recorded since obviously not at a rate of nearly one in two it’s just not worth it,” said Saks. respect for religious diversity which might
comprehensive records began to be maintained South Africans,” he said. Many countries have not yet released their account for the comparatively low rate of
in the mid-1990s. Only in 2009 and 2014, the Saks said the sharp decline in incidents from 2019 figures. anti-Semitic incidents.
years when major conflicts took place between the previous year was a “welcome surprise”,
Israel and Hamas in Gaza, did the annual total
incidents exceed the 100 mark.
but not completely out of the ordinary for
South Africa.
Building bridges
“When these two unusually high years “Whereas other major diaspora countries
are removed from the equation, the average consistently count annual anti-Semitic
annual total over the remaining period drops incidents in the hundreds or even thousands,
to the mid-50s, but even then the 2019 figure ours have equally consistently been in the
is by comparison notably lower than normal.” dozens. Last year happened to be somewhat
The incident report rubs up against the lower than usual.”
recent Anti-Defamation League (ADL) survey Agreeing with this, anti-Semitism expert
last year which found that 47% of South Professor Milton Shain said South Africa
Africans harboured anti-Semitic attitudes. had always reported very few anti-Semitic
Photo: Liza Smith, US Embassy Pretoria
Professor Karen Milner, the national vice- incidents relative to many other countries,
chairperson of the board and an anti-Semitism and it was heartening that the number of anti-
expert, said the board’s incident report and the Semitic incidents had declined even further in
ADL survey were not directly comparable. 2019.
“The ADL research was about sentiment, “It seems to me that the absence of hostile
while the board report is about behaviour – action against Jews – as opposed to hostile
actual incidents of anti-Semitism. In so far ideas about Jews – might have something
as sentiment is expected to be reasonably to do with a government and media that
related to behaviour, this report does reinforce is hostile to Zionism and Israel. This has
the concern expressed previously about the possibly resulted in a lessening of frustration
ADL’s findings in terms of international on the part of Jew-haters. But this is simple
Newly appointed United States ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks, with President Cyril
comparisons.” conjecture. I certainly don’t want to suggest
Ramaphosa on presenting her credentials to him this week. “I consider it the honour of a
She said, however, it was important not to that an antidote to anti-Jewish actions is
lifetime to represent the United States in South Africa,” she wrote on Twitter.
become complacent. hostility toward Israel on the part of the state;
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2 SA JEWISH REPORT 31 January – 7 February 2020
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“The eyes of the soldiers of the caliphate, A Chagall painting, Les France.
r i e f • • Wor l
Islamic State threatens Israel wherever they are, are still on Jerusalem,” Amoureux, sold at Sotheby’s “I wanted to make the portraits
The Islamic State says it will focus its new al-Quraishi said. “And in the coming days, in New York in 2017 for a deeply personal to Yvonne and Steven
s in
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attacks on Israel. G-d willing, you will see what harms you and record $28.45 million – a celebration of family and the life
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The terror group, also known as ISIS, made what will make you forget the horrors you ••W rief
the statement in a 37-minute audio message have seen.” arrived in Britain in the 1940s,” Middleton
on Monday by its spokesman, Abu Hamza al- The message was published on the terror Duchess holds photo shoot said. “The families brought items of personal
Quraishi, the AFP news agency reported. organisation’s usual social-media channels,
Speaking on behalf of ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim according to AFP, which said it had not
with Holocaust survivors significance with them which are included in
the photographs.”
al-Hashimi, al-Quraishi called on Islamic State authenticated the message. ISIS rarely targets
fighters to launch a “new phase, which is to fight Israel, the news service said. Majority of racist crimes in
the Jews and restore all that they have usurped
France target Jews
from Muslims”, the London-based Asharq-Al- Stolen Chagall auctioned
Awsat reported. Most of the racist hate crimes documented
A painting by Jewish modernist Marc in France last year were anti-Semitic
Appliance Repairs on Site Chagall sold at auction for $130 000 (R2.4 incidents directed at Jews – who make up
million), the lowest estimated bid suggested less than 1% of the country’s population.
h e rs,
h w as by the auction house. The French interior ministry published
Di s toves The buyer, from Tel Aviv, wishes to remain the data on Sunday in a report that counted
s , n e s, S
id ge Machi anonymous, a spokesman for the Tiroche 687 anti-Semitic incidents last year from a
Fr shing
Auction House in Herzliya told the Jewish total of 1 142 racist hate crimes.
a &m o re
W ble Dryers
Telegraphic Agency. The artwork, the size of The 2019 figure constitutes an increase
a standard sheet of office paper, was sold on of nearly 27% from 541 such cases
Tum Call Jason Saturday. documented in 2018. Threats accounted for
082 401 8239 / 076 210 6532 Titled Jacob’s Ladder, the oil painting by Kate Middleton, the duchess of Cambridge, 536 incidents last year, with the remaining
FREE QUOTATIONS the famed Jewish modernist was scheduled has released photo portraits she took 151 defined as “acts” – instances of assault
for a 1996 sale, but of two Holocaust survivors with their against Jews or vandalism of their property.
was stolen days grandchildren. France has about half a million Jews
before that auction. The photos, released on Monday, marked among a population of 65 million.
It was found in 2015 as International Holocaust Remembrance Attacks and threats against Muslims rose
in the estate of an Day, are part of a project of the Royal 54% over the previous year at 154 incidents.
elderly woman in Photographic Society, the Holocaust Muslims account for about 9% of France’s
Jerusalem after her Memorial Day Trust, and the London-based population.
death. Jewish News. Anti-Christian incidents are not classified
Migdal Insurance, Kensington Palace shared three behind- as racist, and are their own category in the
which paid the the-scenes photos of the wife of Prince report. They numbered 1 052 cases.
1996 claim on the William, who is second in line to the British The acts documented in the report “are an
stolen Chagall, throne, with the subjects of the portraits. intolerable attack on our shared project, the
demanded custody They will be part of an exhibition scheduled fundamentals of our social and republican
of the painting and to open later this year of 75 images of contract”, Interior Minister Christophe
a Tel Aviv court survivors and members of their families Castaner wrote in response to the report.
ruled in 2015 that to mark 75 years since the end of the
Michael David the painting be
transferred to the
Holocaust.
The subjects of the portraits are
• All briefs supplied by JTA
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Rebbe’s army marches victorious Coast – Cape Town
Seventy five years ago this week, Elka reluctantly assumed the position following first liberation – not
Ganot, prisoner number 12750, was the passing of his father, the previous from Auschwitz, but
liberated from Auschwitz. Her grandson, Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Egypt. Here, too,
Barak, a major in the Israel Defense Forces Schneerson of blessed memory. Hashem refers to us
(IDF), marked the occasion last year as In the Goldman family, this celebration three times in Parshat
he marched with ten other soldiers from has taken on a very personal meaning Bo as an army – tzivot Hashem (from the
his elite army unit past the very barracks because just two weeks after the root word tzava, which means army, like
where his bubbeh (grandmother) suffered passing of the previous rebbe 70 years Tzavah Haganah LeYisrael – the IDF).
the tortures of Europe’s hatred for our ago, zeideh (grandfather) and bubbeh In the landmark Bosi Ligani Maamer,
people. Goldman were blessed with a son whom the rebbe explains that the word comes
For my wife, Zeesy, and I, our common they named Yosef Yitzchok, or “Yossy” from the same root as the word tzevayon,
heritage as grandchildren of Holocaust as Rabbi Yossy Goldman is known to the which means colour or diversity of colours
survivors has always given us a shared thousands of South Africans whose lives because in Hashem’s army, it’s our diversity
sensitivity to our generation’s responsibility he and rebbetzin Rochel have touched of strengths, and embracing through
to ensure, “never again”. While my since the rebbe sent them as his personal ahavat Yisrael (the Jewish people) the
grandfather passed away before I had a ambassadors here. differences between us, that empowers
chance to know him, his close friend with Today, their 11 children serve with us to truly transform the world, as those
VEHICLES WANTED
whom he escaped from Nazi ravaged distinction in the “Rebbe’s Army”, whether survivors of Egypt and today’s survivors of
Poland – Rabbi Shimon Goldman, whose in formal positions or as lay leaders in Auschwitz did.
granddaughter I was blessed to marry – the rebbe’s institutions across the globe Every Jew today is a Holocaust survivor.
taught me a lesson that I aspire to live, in Melbourne, Johannesburg, Cape Town, And whether we are major Barak in the
learn, and celebrate – a lesson that he Uruguay, Philadelphia, and Hawaii. As this IDF or the Goldman family in the Rebbe’s
taught the world 70 years ago this week. elite unit of 11 in the Rebbe’s Army gathers Army, our colours are coming together to
This week, the Jewish world marks at Sydenham Shul for the 70th birthday lead us to the victory of revealing this entire
the 70th anniversary of the leadership of celebration this week, some may wonder world, from Auschwitz to Jerusalem and
the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem where this army comes from. everywhere in between, as the garden of
Schneerson of righteous memory, who This Shabbat, we read the story of the Hashem, where colours shine brightest.
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31 January – 7 February 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 3
SA takes measured approach
to peace plan
TALI FEINBERG between Gaza and the West Bank. “The ANC calls on the Israeli
DIRCO said the establishment of a government to release all political
T
he South African government viable Palestinian state existing side prisoners, cease the expansion
has responded cautiously to by side in peace with Israel should be of settlements in the West Bank
the United States’ new Peace “within internationally recognised immediately, and stop the wanton
to Prosperity plan for resolving the borders, based on those existing on and consistent attacks on Palestinian
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 4 June 1967, prior to the outbreak people in the Gaza Strip. [It] also calls
The Department of International of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, with on all organisations and people that
Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) East Jerusalem as its capital, in line support the cause of free Palestine to
said South Africa “continues to with all relevant United Nations strengthen the solidarity campaign
support international efforts aimed resolutions, international law, and for a peaceful and just solution.”
at the establishment of a viable internationally agreed parameters”. Mabe also emphasised the need for
Palestinian state, existing side by “South Africa believes that only South Africa to enact the resolution cause. COSATU and its affiliates Wendy Kahn, the national
side in peace with Israel within initiatives developed with the it adopted at its 54th national have resolved to embark on a director of the South African
internationally recognised borders”. full participation of the people of conference to downgrade its embassy continuous picket of the embassy Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD),
This approach contrasts with a Palestine can achieve lasting peace, in Tel Aviv, saying, “Downgrading the and consulates of the US until said, “The SAJBD embraces any
more emphatic reaction from the and it remains consistent in its view embassy is a practical act of solidarity the US stops its offensive in the initiative that will bring the parties
African National Congress (ANC). that genuine inclusive, open dialogue with the oppressed people of Middle East. We look to the South closer to the negotiating table.
Speaking to the SA Jewish Report, can resolve the current impasse.” Palestine in the face of the injustices African government to lead on It’s our hope that the proposed
ANC national spokesperson Pule Said DIRCO spokesperson Clayson and atrocities meted out against this question, particularly since peace plan will reinvigorate a peace
Mabe said, “An effective peace Monyela, “South Africa maintains its innocent civilians.” South Africa is uniquely placed process that has been dormant for
solution must be inclusive. The principled position that any peace The Congress of South African as the one country that survived far too long. Ultimately, we believe
ANC believes any apartheid through that the Israelis and Palestinians
peace solution that US President Donald Trump international need to sit together to determine
Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images
doesn’t include with Israeli Prime Minister assistance.” a viable and secure two-state
the participation Benjamin Netanyahu Darren Bergman, solution. We applaud the US for
of Palestine and the Democratic its efforts in trying to restart
Israel will have no Alliance (DA) talks towards solving this painful
legitimacy.” Shadow Minister conflict.”
US President of Foreign Affairs, Rowan Polovin, the national
Donald Trump said, “The DA has chairperson of the South African
unveiled the much- noted the contents Zionist Federation (SAZF), said,
awaited peace plan on of President “The SAZF supports the right of
Tuesday at the White Trump’s peace Jews to live in their ancient biblical
House alongside proposal. We wait and indigenous homeland with
Israeli Prime Minister to hear how it is Jerusalem as their capital. Alongside
Benjamin Netanyahu. received by affected this, Israelis have the right to live
Palestinian leadership communities. in peace and security with their
was not present, nor It’s therefore too neighbours. This new peace plan
involved in the plan. early to make any recognises these rights, and offers
The main points of substantial input the Palestinians a rare opportunity
the plan include the or declare support to achieve their stated aims, with
notion of two states, or lack thereof. international support and financial
while safeguarding “The DA has assistance, and move towards a
Israel’s security. The Israeli state plan should not allow Palestinian Trade Unions (COSATU) said it was long held the view that a two- better and prosperous future.
would include all of its West Bank statehood to devolve into an entity “disturbed” by the peace plan. “This state solution, where both Israel “Many Arab and Western
settlements and the Jordan Valley, devoid of sovereignty, territorial deal is forcing Palestinians to buy a and Palestine are recognised as countries have already expressed
the strategically important piece of contiguity, and economic viability. concealed item that is locked up in sovereign states, is ideal provided their support for this plan,”
land that Israel has largely controlled Doing so would severely compound a box, and then put its trust in the that both countries can live in Polovin said. “We call upon the
since the Six-Day War in 1967. the failure of previous peace-making country that has been the source of peace without fear of attack. The South African government to
The plan entails a four-year efforts, accelerate the demise of the their suffering,” said Sonia Mabunda- DA concerns itself with the people encourage the Palestinians to
freeze on the expansion of Israeli two-state option, and fatally damage Kaziboni, COSATU’s international of the Palestinian territories, Gaza, engage in meaningful dialogue and
settlements. The Palestinians the cause of durable peace for secretary. and Israel, and would support negotiations with Israel towards
would have their own system of Palestinians and Israelis alike.” “COSATU rejects this plot. We any initiative that empowers and these aims.”
government throughout their state, Said Mabe, “The ANC reiterates its remain resolute in support of the brings them a better quality of The SA Jewish Report also
but Israel would retain security unequivocal support for the freedom Palestinian cause, and we will life and stability to the region. reached out to the Economic
control over all the territory. of the people of Palestine, and that never be silenced on this issue. We We are cognisant of the fact that Freedom Fighters and African
Jerusalem would remain Israel’s their struggle for self-determination remain strong in our support for the people of Palestine, Gaza, Christian Democratic Party for
capital, and the Palestinian capital is just and unapologetic. A true the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions and Israel should be allowed to comment, but had not received
would be in East Jerusalem. The plan solution will not be found in any (BDS) [movement] and all other decide this process without fear of any response at the time of going
allows for Palestinians to travel freely place other than Palestine and Israel. efforts made in support of the political or violent intimidation.” to press.
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4 SA JEWISH REPORT 31 January – 7 February 2020
Land-expropriation amendment @Sowellnomics an outspoken libertarian
could herald ‘Zimbabwe-style’ decline NICOLA MILTZ “That kind of online bullying can have
real-world consequences, and is a really
TALI FEINBERG arbitrary decision process, as I have little doubt that the @Sowellnomics was a well-known social- important lesson for everyone. It’s clear
South African economy as a whole will suffer.” media influencer, activist, and vehement that Sherlin was a person of principle, and
“As Jews, we have endured a long history of having our He fears this amendment will go ahead “unless sense Israel supporter whose real identity was a strong person, but I think the fact that he
property confiscated. The current proposal to allow prevails, which it hasn’t up till now. Particularly if you unknown to most in the community. was so heavily targeted may have played
for expropriation without compensation should be of consider the way this was introduced – it was underhand, For years, his identity remained a a role in his mental state.”
particular concern to our community,” says advocate Mark and crafted with a view to elicit the least possible mystery in spite of numerous attempts by Govender was a devout Christian and
Oppenheimer. objection. The only possible light is that it seems that his critics to “out him”. an intellectual, his friends said.
This Jewish lawyer is by nature not alarmist, but he the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) won’t go along After he took his life in January his real @Sowellnomics encouraged public
feels strongly that the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) with it, and as the ANC in parliament requires a two- identity became known by many of his discourse and open debate, often
approach to land reform and its latest announcement to thirds majority to pass the legislation which it doesn’t followers. Political commentator Sherlin agitating his critics with his controversial
have the process run by the executive instead of the courts have without the EFF, maybe it will be watered down Govender, 30, was the man behind the political views on land reform and gun
could herald a Zimbabwe-style descent for South Africa. somewhat.” highly controversial and prolific Twitter control. He often butted heads with left
The Sunday Times reports that the amendment will Wisenberg says that property in both urban and rural account. wing activists and politicians, ruffling
effectively remove the courts as the “decider” on whether areas may be affected. “All areas are exposed, but I’m of He described himself on Twitter as a feathers in government circles.
the state will pay for land expropriation, and will instead the opinion that it will affect rural areas more. I believe “Lover of liberty, free markets, innovation, Govender was often seen sipping hot
give that power to a minister of land reform. that urban, abandoned properties – for example in the state of Israel and Arsenal FC. Dislike: chocolate at kosher eatery Jozi Blue
The proposal was reportedly adopted by the party at its Hillbrow – will be affected, and that will probably be a socialism, Marxists and social-
National Executive Committee lekgotla earlier this month, positive consequence.” justice warriors.” For this, he
and is expected to be voted on by ANC MPs in parliament He is unsure how urban property owners can protect was liked and disliked.
in coming weeks. their properties. “With rural properties, some farmers Benji Shulman of the South He was a fearless thinker,
“This is unprecedented. Remember, we have never have given their workers a share in the properties, and so African Friends of Israel someone who didn’t just think but
before changed the Bill of Rights,” says Oppenheimer. on. This may stave off government intervention.” (SAFI) described Govender as acted and debated with the people
He is sounding the alarm because he thinks people Wisenberg believes “the aim of the ANC to bypass “unique”.
should be fighting “tooth and nail” to stop expropriation the courts will surely invite court action on the part of “There is literally no one in he disagreed with. That’s rare.
without compensation in its tracks. He has called on opposition parties and other organisations. This will surely South Africa on Twitter that
members of the public to write submissions to parliament delay its implementation, which again will create more has a combination of his reach, clarity of in Glenhazel, Johannesburg, engaging
to oppose the constitutional amendment. However, uncertainty which creates an even greater anti-investment thought, and confidence of expression. in active debate with his good friend,
several people have received ‘block notifications’ from climate.” He was a fearless thinker, someone who Sihle Ngobese, well known as @
parliament advising them that their submissions contain Says Isaac Jocum, a cattle farmer near Vryburg, “When didn’t just think but acted and debated BigDaddyLiberty on Twitter.
inappropriate content. Oppenheimer has since advised the ANC writes this new bill into law, by the stroke of with the people he disagreed with. That’s Ngobese who is head of strategic
people to make their voices heard through the ‘Dear South that pen, it will not only devalue all property across the rare. operations at the Institute of Race
Africa’ submissions page. country, but will simultaneously remove more than 100 “He was willing to stand up for truth, Relations, told the SA Jewish Report that
Oppenheimer notes that since the ANC adopted land years of farming and agricultural experience and expertise and the best way he saw it,” Shulman one of the highlights of Govender’s life
expropriation without compensation as an official policy from the agricultural sector and the country. This loss of said. “He was prepared to take the was his visit to Israel last year.
in 2017, “property prices have been in a downward spiral”. experience and expertise cannot be obtained from books punches to say what he believed. He will “I get emotional thinking about how
He predicts that destabilising property be missed for this.” happy that trip made him. As a Christian,
rights could lead to the economy collapsing Political and social commentator Israel was his spiritual home,” he said.
like Zimbabwe and Venezuela. Jonathan Witt of the Renegade Report Ngobese described Govender as an
He points out that changing the announced last week on Twitter that “intelligent young man” who wanted to
Constitution is very difficult because it Govender had died. “Very sad to have keep his online persona separate from
needs a two-thirds majority. However, to tweet this, but the person behind the his real identity because he attracted so
if it does go through, more “draconian” @Sowellnomics account took his own much vitriol.
legislation could follow, and that would life last week. A really great guy with a “Many wanted to dox him,” Ngobese
need only a 50+1 majority. “It may start thoughtful and inquisitive mind. Suicide said. Doxing is a cyber-attack that
out with an initial bill that is not that is nobody’s fault, but the vitriol on Twitter involves discovering and revealing the real
contentious, but this could easily be often directed by big accounts didn’t identity of an internet user so others can
changed in, say, an Ace Magashule or help.” target them.
David Mabuza regime.” This received more than 1 500 likes This weighed heavily on him, said close
He says expropriation without and was retweeted more than 500 times. friends.
compensation targets land and It’s believed that @Sowellnomics had According to Ngobese, Govender was
improvements, which includes homes, about 30 000 followers. Some said he had a classical liberal thinker and libertarian,
factories and business premises. This an auto-immune illness which contributed which meant he advocated the protection
can affect anyone living in urban and to his flailing mental health. of individual liberty and economic freedom
rural areas. Addressing the ANC’s latest The name @Sowellnomics was by limiting government power.
proposed change of allowing an “executive” in reference to acclaimed American @Sowellnomics, who grew up in a
to have power over these decisions, he says the chance of and learning institutions without the addition of a hands- economist and social theorist, Thomas conservative, ANC-supporting family in
expropriation on a whim becomes enormous. “‘Executive’ on approach. Sowell, 89. KwaZulu-Natal, was interviewed by the SA
is a vague term. Does it mean the president, a cabinet “The agricultural sector doesn’t function in economic According to close friends, the Jewish Report last year on his return to
minister, or the mayor of your municipality? Imagine if isolation, it’s intricately linked to every part of the Pietermaritzburg-born Govender, worked South Africa from Israel. He affectionately
it’s up to the mayor of a small town, who expropriates national economy,” he says. “By devaluing this large asset in the banking sector and kept his online described Israel as the “rainbow nation of
your property without compensation because he doesn’t base, the economic consequences known and unknown persona totally separate from his real the Middle East”.
like you? It also opens the door to corrupt officials using will be far-reaching and devastating to an already fragile identity in a bid to protect himself and his Oppenheimer described his friend
expropriation powers for their own benefit.” and failing economy with an ever depreciating currency. family from numerous detractors. as “incredibly warm, passionate, and
Retired Constitutional Court Judge Albie Sachs told The last and only hope, which has not proven very A friend of his, Johannesburg advocate remarkably bright”.
the SA Jewish Report that with regards to this latest successful in history, is in the hands of the international Mark Oppenheimer, told the SA Jewish He said, “He was a wonderful person
amendment, “The ANC is presenting the matter in a very community to do whatever is necessary to prevent the bill Report that as a young person who had to have at a dinner party. We had a
clumsy way. My understanding is that the Constitution going into law.” recently moved up to Johannesburg, few Shabbos meals together, and the
and the law currently allow for the executive to make But affordable housing advocate and Cape Town Govender didn’t want to endanger his last time I saw him was at a Chanukah
the initial determination, and the court to approve. As resident Gavin Silber, who has a Masters in urban career and his livelihood. dinner. He cared a lot about Israel, and
long as the court has a free hand to make the ultimate planning from New York University, believes that it’s vital “He spoke about free speech, free held Jews in high esteem. He told me
determination, this isn’t problematic. I’m not sure that to speed up land reform, even if it means placing it in markets, the importance of non-racialism, Israel is a remarkable place, and that
the court itself is well-suited to doing valuations, though the hands of one person. “The longer we fail to support and the idea that we shouldn’t judge describing Israel as an apartheid state
it’s best suited to deciding on how to balance the different action on spatial justice in our cities – and the legal and people by the colour of their skin but by was completely uncalled for.”
constitutional factors to be taken into account. The policy framework already exists to do this – the greater the the content of their character. He was Shulman said that @Sowellnomics was
answer might be to create an independent compensation likelihood of extreme legislation being implemented in the good at pointing out which government always prepared to engage with people.
determination body, similar to a Chapter 9 institution near-future. policies were going to be detrimental to “He listened to their viewpoint, and
… containing lawyers, historians, and people who know “Much of this can be achieved with the legislation the economy and to the flourishing of all had the emotional capacity to argue with
about land values, to make the initial determinations that already exists,” says Silber. “Ministers, premiers, South Africans, and for that he was both people and take the fight, he never swore
fairly speedily, with well-defined rights of speedy recourse and mayors already have significant powers over loved and hated,” he said. or insulted. He was an interesting guy who
to the courts.” land-use decisions that they aren’t tapping into. They A lot of people said how much they liked to think for himself and back up his
Paul Wisenberg, a partner at Maurice Phillips Wisenberg could announce tomorrow that thousands of acres of loved him online but, said Oppenheimer, it opinions with logical argument.”
Attorneys, Notaries and Conveyancers, who has extensive well-located public land will be used for public good – was also clear that he had been targeted The Twitter account @Sowellnomics
experience in property-related disputes, says, “I don’t affordable housing, land restitution, social services, and and attacked, and that there were moves was closed last week. Whether you loved
believe the alarm should be limited to just the Jewish so on. This wouldn’t require amending the Constitution to try and vilify him and make his life him or loathed him, @Sowellnomics, left
community. All communities should be concerned or going through lengthy court processes. The problem is incredibly uncomfortable because of some his mark. He is survived by his mother
including those communities that might benefit from the political will.” of the views that he held. and older brother.
31 January – 7 February 2020 SA JEWISH REPORT 5
Living in a ghost town – but no reason to panic
JORDAN MOSHE Volunteers in Wuhan, China, preparing supplies for hospitals Beyond China, cases have been reported
in Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia,
W
hen South African-expat Adam Thailand, France, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam,
Wolov steps out his front Singapore, South Korea, Macao, and Nepal.
door in Wuhan in China, he There have also been five confirmed cases
slips on a safety mask and gloves. The in the United States.
streets he walks on are almost completely “All deaths have been in China so far,” he
deserted, with few pedestrians and non- says. “The majority of cases outside China
existent public transport. Although a few are secondary cases among travellers. They
supermarkets remain open, malls and display fairly mild symptoms, and have
cinemas are shuttered. It’s a ghost town. reported no deaths thus far.”
Wolov shares this reality with 11 million In spite of the spread of the disease,
fellow residents of the capital of China’s public-health organisations
Adam Wolov
Hubei province. For more than a week, they have issued different
have all been quarantined following the recommendations for
outbreak of what is commonly referred to travellers. “The World Health
as coronavirus. The Chinese are striving to Organization (WHO) has not
contain it, and it has caused considerable yet called it an emergency of
panic worldwide. it looks like a coronet worn by royals under deaths across the international concern,” says
Wolov is originally from Johannesburg. a microscope,” says Barry Schoub, emeritus Middle East, North Schoub. “It probably won’t, but
He moved to China five years ago to teach professor in virology at the University of America, and Europe) that depends on the spread.
English and travel around Asia, getting the Witwatersrand and former director of it, too, passed into It’s still too early to know, and
married and having children along the way. the National Institute of Communicable obscurity. from a virologic point of view,
As per government instruction, he and Diseases (NICD). “The virus itself is “The general its sustainably and ability
his family remain indoors, venturing ubiquitous biologically, primarily among rule is that once an for further establishment
out only for essential supplies instead of animals, but has been relatively trivial – it animal virus is found is unknown.” He says South
travelling to celebrate the Chinese New can cause the common cold.” circulating among Africa, too, has issued no
Year as planned. Corona remained a low-key virus group humans, it doesn’t warnings, but America’s Centre
“We are allowed to go out for food and until 2003, when the first instance of really last long because it doesn’t circulate for Disease Control has issued a level-three
other resources we may deem necessary, an animal-originating virus crossed the very well,” says Schoub. “It’s not adapted warning to avoid all non-essential travel to
but we have to take necessary precautions species barrier to affect human beings. The to human carriers, so it passes away, which China.
to prevent infection and transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (or is probably what happened to SARS and Wolov said all public transport had been
the disease,” he told the SA Jewish Report SARS virus) circulated from February that MERS.” suspended, as had all flights in and out of
on Wednesday. “We have to wear safety year across 24 countries, primarily in Asia. The current coronavirus is similarly Wuhan. Some American and French citizens
masks and gloves which have now been Traced to wildlife markets in Eastern Asia, believed to have originated from animals, had been evacuated (with plans to evacuate
made a legal requirement. If we don’t, we about 8 098 cases of SARS were confirmed, potentially snakes sold at a live market in British citizens also in place), and the South
risk being arrested and fined, a necessary and 9.6% of them resulted in death. Wuhan. According to Schoub, about 4 577 African consulate had issued a statement
evil to prevent the spread of infection.” After the virus seemingly died out (with cases have been identified so far and about saying that South Africans wishing to
The virus came to the attention of no cases reported from 2004), corona 130 deaths reported, 2.3% lower than the evacuate must do so on their own account.
the Chinese in December last year after appeared again in 2012, this time in Saudi rate for SARS and MERS. Continued on page 10>>
a cluster of pneumonia cases presented Arabia and believed to have originated
themselves. It was only in January that it in camels. The Middle East Respiratory
was identified as a coronavirus capable of Syndrome (MERS) was strikingly similar
infecting humans. to SARS, and while a more severe virus
“We refer to the virus as a corona because (causing about 2 500 cases and about 833
Ramaphosa ‘could do more’
MIRAH LANGER Matisonn’s
latest book,
P
olitical journalist John Matisonn which is
believes President Cyril Ramaphosa subtitled
“could do more than he is doing” to Lessons from
turn the country around. He said this at the 25 Years of
launch of his latest book, Cyril’s Choices, in Freedom in
Parkview on Tuesday. South Africa
The book’s title, Matisonn says, emerged in follows on
the process of writing the book as somewhat from his 2015
ironic. book, G-d,
Spies and Lies:
John Matisonn Finding South
Africa’s Future Through Its Past.
Photos courtesy of John Matisonn
He said that while it’s too soon to be able
to suggest what Ramaphosa’s ultimate legacy
might be, “Right now, all one can say is it’s
stasis. Things are slowly being improved.”
Yet, he suggested, South Africans are still
waiting for concrete action such as the arrest,
prosecution, and conviction by the National
Prosecuting Authority of those involved in
corruption.
Matisonn conceded that while “obviously,
state capture was far deeper and wider than
we thought”, nevertheless, “I made the same
mistake that I think most people made in
thinking that he could turn things around
“I started writing the book when Jacob faster.”
Zuma was still president, thinking that when He suggested that, indeed, for Ramaphosa,
Cyril comes it will be better,” said the author the 2020 political calendar would be
at the book launch. dominated by the African National Congress
“And, of course, now we [as South Africans] (ANC) national general council meeting. This
realise that the choices are really choices for was the halfway point between the previous
us to make. They aren’t going to be made national conference, held in December 2017
by government and the political parties in in Nasrec, Johannesburg, and the one which
an efficient way. We are going to have to be will follow in 2022.
involved in it ourselves.” Continued on page 8>>
6 SA JEWISH REPORT 31 January – 7 February 2020
Jewish Report Any chance that Trump’s Mid-East
south african
The source of quality content, news and insights
peace plan can work?
Holocaust remembrance “It’s time for the Muslim world to fix the DATELINE:
more poignant than ever mistake it made in 1948 when it chose to
attack instead of recognising the new state
MIDDLE EAST
I
nternational Holocaust Remembrance Day of Israel,” American President Donald Trump Paula Slier
comes around every 27 January, but this year said on Tuesday night as he unveiled his
it seemed so much more intense and horrifying vision for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. Palestinian states.
(if that’s possible). It hit home in a way I haven’t But in an emotional televised address, Back in 2008, in what is widely regarded
experienced before. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as Israel’s most generous offer to the
Granted this year was a milestone, being rejected “the new Balfour Declaration” with “a Palestinians, former Israeli Prime Minister
the 75th anniversary of the liberation of thousand no’s”, insisting that Jerusalem and Ehud Olmert was willing to cede 93.7% of the
the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and the rights of Palestinian people were “not for West Bank to a future Palestine. In Trump’s
extermination camps. Social media was alive sale”. Not even invited to the unveiling, the plan, 70% will be ceded, while Israel will
with posts about the Holocaust from Jewish and Palestinians haven’t had direct contact with retain 30%. Trump set eight conditions for
non-Jewish people. I don’t recall such a response the Trump administration in more than two Palestinian statehood while warning this
before. years. could be the Palestinians’ “last chance” for a
I was asked by people from outside the Still, this didn’t stop the palpable state.
community whether we were writing about excitement as Trump, with Netanyahu But the American president must have
remembrance day. One of the most startling standing alongside him in the White known that the proposal would be rejected
memes I saw (and posted) was a photograph of House, announced his so-called “deal of the outright by Abbas so why even propose
a sweet, smiling little boy named Istvan Reiner from Hungary who was said to century”. It’s been three years in the making, it? The answer lies in its timing. Trump is
have been murdered in Auschwitz a few days after the photograph was taken. and already last year, the first phase – a facing trial in the US senate after the house
Under the photograph were the words, “If we held a moment of silence for every $50-billion injection (R729.6 billion) into impeached him last month. This offers a
victim of the Holocaust, we would be silent for eleven and a half years.” It’s so the Palestinian economy – was snubbed by welcome respite. In November, he will run
accurate and chilling. The vast number of Jews killed – six million – is so hard for Palestinians. for re-election, and this plan is also intended
our brains to compute because it’s just so many innocent souls taken from us. Pointedly, though, major Arab states have to satisfy his electoral base of evangelicals.
On Monday, I read a Facebook post by South African photographer Eric Miller expressed their support. Saudi Arabia, the And satisfied they are. As are right-right-wing
describing his visit to Auschwitz a number of years ago. He describes “a room United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Bahrain American Jews and right-wing Israelis. Its
filled with brushes. Hair brushes, tooth brushes, shaving brushes, countless described it as an opportunity to achieve announcement comes at a crucial time also
types and shapes of brushes”. Then, there is the “room filled with worn leather peace between Israelis and Palestinians. for Netanyahu who is running for re-election
suitcases, each neatly, meticulously labelled with the owner’s name, place of Turkey rejected it, while Egypt said it at the beginning of March.
origin, and camp number”. “appreciates the continuous efforts exerted by It’s highly probable that the announcement
But the enormity of the horror and loss hit me most when he wrote about the the United States administration to achieve is meant to distract Israelis from Netanyahu’s
“room filled roof high with hair, used by the Germans for making mattresses. a comprehensive and just settlement of the immunity proceedings. He’s been indicted on
The hair is all grey.” Miller wrote that his guide explained the hair wasn’t grey Palestinian issue”. counts of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery
because it belonged to elderly people, but from the Zyklon-B gas used in the gas The plan lays the groundwork for Israel to in three separate cases. No doubt Netanyahu
chambers. immediately begin annexing the Jordan Valley will use the plan to earn brownie points
The inhumanity of this is impossible for me to understand. What makes and all of its settlements in the West Bank, amongst his voters.
people able to do this to other people? How did they not see the humanity in the something Netanyahu says he will bring to a The Trump plan will never work – but
eyes of those they were about to kill and stop doing so? How did they not have cabinet vote as early as this coming Sunday. it isn’t meant to, as far as Netanyahu is
nightmares after the first time that made it impossible to carry on? However, a few hours before the plan’s concerned. Some suggest this is why he’s
I have always believed I was quite fortunate not to have lost family in the unveiling, Netanyahu was formally indicted by embracing it, including the bits he and his far-
Holocaust, as my grandparents and great-grandparents came out to South Africa the country’s attorney general on corruption right base find unpalatable. He doesn’t need
from Lithuania before the war. charges. Earlier, Netanyahu withdrew his to worry about it materialising, while he can
However, on Tuesday morning, that myth was dispelled when a cousin a few request for parliamentary immunity, a request still take advantage of annexing territories.
times removed in America posted on Facebook the names of 15 members of he was almost certain to lose. It’s unclear Previous peace plans have been aimed at
our family, all with the surname Krost, who she knew to have been killed in the whether in this position, and with a caretaker both Israelis and Palestinians. This one is
Holocaust. “There are at least a dozen more that we are unable to account for government, Netanyahu can legally push overtly pro-Israel. While some may argue
who were still in Lithuania in 1941,” she wrote. through a proposal as significant as redrawing that this is an American plan and therefore
I went cold reading the rest of her post, but then I realised that actually it Israel’s borders. not binding on anyone, it’s highly unlikely
isn’t possible to be Jewish and untouched by the Holocaust. When 6 000 000 But what is significant is that Trump’s plan it would have been presented without
are removed from a minority group, two-thirds of all the Jews in Europe, it has gives Israel the
a permanent impact on all of us. Today, there is estimated to be 14.6 million green light to
Jews in the world, a bit more than double those who were annihilated in the annex settlements
Holocaust. regardless of
And yet, there are people who get tired of hearing Jewish people discussing the Palestinian
Holocaust. Some say we should get over it. support for
And now we are at a precipice again, with anti-Semitism increasing around the the plan. At
world. the same time,
This is another reason for this year’s commemoration being so much more in recognition
poignant and distressing. It seems like humanity is fast forgetting the horror of of Israeli
what was done to Jews. Surely, the world will never let it happen again? sovereignty over
On Tuesday, I stumbled onto a post written by a fellow South African the settlements,
journalist, someone I had worked with at Independent Newspapers years ago, Israel must freeze
who wrote, “I wonder if those people who get irritated by black people talking any further
about white racism get as irritated when the world (not just Jews) talks about settlement
the fact of Nazi death camps, as it is happening now. Do they tell the Jews to ‘get expansion for four
over it’, like they tell us?” years. Benjamin Netanyahu, left, said Donald Trump had ‘charted . . . a brilliant future for Israel’
Without getting into comparisons, I told him that not only do people tell Jews Trump’s deal envisions the establishment of Jerusalem’s consent. So one gets a very
to get over it, but there are many who deny the Holocaust ever happened, or laud a Palestinian state with limited sovereignty. good idea of how far – or not – Jerusalem
Hitler for what he did to us. Jerusalem will remain “Israel’s undivided is prepared to go to reach peace with the
He didn’t believe that anyone said those things publicly in South Africa. Would capital” while a future Palestinian state would Palestinians. In the past decade, Abbas has
that he were correct, and all those ugly cases we write about, tand the South also have a “capital in eastern Jerusalem”. gone from the status he inherited from
African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) takes on, would go away! Such a capital would be established in the Arafat to being little more than the mayor
However, the truth is that while the world is feeling the rise of this ugly Arab neighbourhoods of Jerusalem on the of Ramallah. He is widely disliked on the
scourge, the SAJBD has recorded a reduction in anti-Semitic attacks in South eastern side of the separation barrier. Trump Palestinian street. The world has to some
Africa. This is really good news! Does it mean anti-Semitic sentiment is dropping said he would be “proud” to have an American extent given up on the Palestinians and their
off in South Africa? I’m not sure, especially when it come to the so-called “new embassy there. Palestinians would be able to cause is no longer fashionable beyond the far-
anti-Semitism”, namely hatred of Jews through what appears to be politically call their capital “al-Quds” – the Arabic term left and right fringes in the West.
correct demonisation of the Jewish state. for Jerusalem – and they would continue to Nothing much is expected to come out of
May we find a way to get rid of all racism and hatred. It certainly doesn’t serve have access to all holy sites, but no significant Trump’s deal. But perhaps it presents a new
us or anyone else. part of East Jerusalem would be in their framework for negotiations between Israelis
capital. This is well short of what they would and Palestinians, a starting point from which
Shabbat Shalom! ever accept. future negotiations can develop. If that were
Peta Krost Maunder What’s interesting is that for the first time to happen, it would indeed be something. But
Editor ever, an American president published a map at this stage that seems far from likely.
of how he foresees the future Israeli and
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