In the 21st Century, anti-Semitism is emerging in South Africa. Spurred on by the recent unrest in Gaza, some protest actions are thinly veiled anti-Jewish prejudice.
Globally, anti-Semitism did not disappear with the end of the World War 2. If anything, in the 21st century it has begun resurface in a mo. In January 2005, the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor released areport on Global anti-Semitism. The report argued that incidences of anti-Jewish prejudice have increased often masquerading as legitimate disapproval of the actions and policies of the State of Israel.
Growing Anti-Semitism in South Africa
In recent months, there has been rising negative sentiments against people of Jewish descent and Jewish businesses in South Africa. In the February 4th 2009 edition of the Mercury, Matthew Savides in his article “Workers plan to isolate Israel” reported that South African Trade union federation, COSATU, and the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union-affiliated workers have refused to offload an Israeli ship scheduled to dock at the Durban Harbour in South Africa.
According to Savides’ article, COSATU has embarked on a campaign of divestments and boycotts of Israeli-linked businesses. The federation has likened the Israeli government to the apartheid government and has controversially themed its campaign “Free Palestine - Isolate Apartheid Israel". The Daily News article on the 4th February 2009, “COSATU targets Israel”, has noted that the South African Jewish Board of Deputies concern that the impending protests may be related to the upcoming national elections. Board Chairman, Zev Krengel, was quoted as saying that “Cosatu wants to show its muscle and the elections are getting closer, so it is easy to bash a foreign state”. Of course, COSATU has disputed these claims.
Growing anti-Semitic feelings have not been contained to trade unionists. South Africa’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Fatima Hajaig, recently made headlines for remarks made at a pro-Palestine rally in January. Caiphus Kgosana of the Cape Times reported on 05 February 2009, “Motlanthe wants an explanation”, that Minister Hajaig reportedly said that West was "in the hands of Jewish money", and mainly controlled by "Zionists" . The current South African President, Kgalema Motlanthe, has reprimanded Hajaig and she has since apologised for making comments that were contrary to stated government policy but, this has shown that increasing anti-Zionist sentiments are present amongst the upper echelon of South African political society.
Would Apparent Anti-Semitic Feelings Escalate to Violence?
Thus far, negative feelings toward Israeli and Jewish interests have been non-violent. South African Jews have not yet seen the violence that has plagued their counterparts in Europe and Latin America. But, this situation can easily change. In May 2008, South Africa was plagued by xenophobic violence, which started with negative talk and sentiments.
On the 6th of February, insults were traded outside the South African Zionist Federation’s offices in Johannesburg. Thabiso Thakali in the 7th February 2009 edition of the Saturday Star, “Cosatu accused of racism by Rabbi”, reported that COSATU and the Palestinian Solidarity Committee led protestors to the offices as part its current actions. Thakali quoted COSATU’s International Relations Secretary, Bongani Masuku, as saying “Any business owned by Israel supporters will be a target of workers in South Africa... we have to stand up and condemn Israel for its occupation.” Arguably, such statements could be viewed as threatening and an ominous warning of things to come.
Unquestionably, there are less politically precarious ways to display discontent with Israel State policies. With an election looming, the silence of political parties has been deafening. One wonders, if 2008’s xenophobic violence would be matched with something just as malevolent.
