Picture: for illustration purposes
An escalating situation has arisen between a significant representative body of South Africa's Jewish community, the SA Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD), and the Department International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). Both parties are trading accusations of hate speech and misinformation, which have added fuel to the tension plaguing their relationship.
On Tuesday, the SAJBD rebuffed a statement from DIRCO, issued on Monday, in which it accused the Jewish entity of anti-Semitism. The statement was a direct response to SAJBD's Deputy Head, Zev Krengel, whose alleged spreading of fake news and libellous information provoked it.
At the center of this high-stakes situation is the topic around the treatment of Palestinians. DIRCO had accused the SAJBD of fostering a hostile environment that contributed to the violent atrocities against Palestinians. The SAJBD, on the other hand, denied these allegations and countered that DIRCO's statement was an act of anti-Semitism, thereby deepening the rift between both parties.
The situation remains to be resolved as their ongoing tumultuous interaction threatens the harmonious coexistence within the diverse fabric of South African society.