Surge in Anti-Semitic Incidents in South Africa Prompts Call for Action from SAJBD

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) has raised the alarm over a worrying surge in anti-Semitic incidents across the country, marking the highest reported figures since the organization started maintaining records in 1993. In a stark response to Justice Minister Ronald Lamola's recent comments, the SAJBD is urging the South African government to take immediate steps to acknowledge and combat the rising tide of anti-Semitic acts, which create a climate of fear and hostility within the Jewish community.

The call to action follows Minister Lamola's appearance on BBC's HARDtalk, where he faced inquiries regarding a rise in anti-Semitism, as reported by the South African Jewish Report. During the interview, Lamola denied any evidence supporting allegations of anti-Semitism in South Africa. This stance has been sharply criticized by the SAJBD, who claim that a total of eight cases related to anti-Semitic acts are either already filed with the police or are in the process of being addressed in the Equality Court.

Instances of assault, property damage, and incitement of violence against members of the Jewish community are among the cases highlighted by the SAJBD. The organization asserts that downplaying these incidents is not only misleading but also dismisses the genuine concerns of South African Jews who have been directly affected by such acts of hatred.

In their statement, the SAJBD references data that indicates a significant spike in anti-Semitic episodes, particularly within the last quarter of the previous year. Comparing the number of recorded incidents, they report a rise to 139 from October to December, a significant jump from the 19 incidents documented during the same timeframe in 2022. This escalation is of grave concern as it marks a departure from traditionally lower averages noted in past years.

The Board's statement also emphasizes an uptick in physical assaults, exemplified by six documented cases, including assaults outside a Johannesburg synagogue, an attack on a local rabbi, and a particularly violent incident at a pro-Palestine rally in Cape Town where an individual was struck with a pole. The rise in physical violence is viewed as part of a deeply disturbing trend that deviates from the usual pattern of rare physical encounters over the previous decade.

Furthermore, the SAJBD notes vandalism targeting the Jewish community, with Jewish cemeteries in Pretoria and Durban being damaged and desecrated, compounding the community’s concerns.

The SAJBD is unequivocally calling upon Minister Lamola and the ANC-led government to take a firm stance against anti-Semitism. They plead for recognition of the alarming data and genuine grievances rather than a denial of the incidents' existence or severity. In doing so, the SAJBD aims to hold the South African government accountable for fostering a safer, more inclusive society for all its citizens, irrespective of religious affiliation.

As South Africa prides itself on constitutional values that include the right to freedom of religion and belief, the actions—or inaction—of the government in addressing concerns of anti-Semitism are under close scrutiny. It will be telling to observe the government's response to the SAJBD's powerful and urgent appeal for justice and protection.