Obed Bapela undermines SA democracy in his attack on Jewish Community

Obed Bapela has undermined the very core value of South Africa’s democracy by proposing a change to our law purely to prevent one sector of our society, in this case, South African Jews from having a relationship with Israel. 

Bapela has called for the notion of Dual Citizenship to be revised, simply to prevent the Jewish community who make up 0.1% of the South African population, from identifying with Israel. 

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) and the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) condemn his proposal. 

This unfortunate political grandstanding by Bapela is motivated by his own narrow understanding of the Middle East conflict, which is based on religious fundamentalism and the BDS lobby within the ANC,  and we would hope that in no way reflects the views of the ANC.  This is not the first time that Bapela has attacked the Jewish community and its leadership. 

The singling out of any minority group for discrimination is ominous for South Africa’s democracy.  In a country which battles against racism and xenophobia on a daily basis, Bapela is further inflaming divisions within our society.  While mentioning Jews today, it will be other minorities tomorrow. 

The implications of this change will affect every sector of society.  However, the law is to be enacted simply to target one minority group, and this is unjust.  Furthermore, his calls to target Jewish business and his questioning of Jewish South African’s loyalty to this country, is classic antisemitism.  His attempts to isolate those who disagree with his views are inappropriate. 

The South African Jewish community will not be bullied or intimidated by his threats and have sought a meeting with President Jacob Zuma and will request further meetings to clarify Bapela’s statement. 

Issued by Zev Krengel on behalf of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies and the South African Zionist Federation, 7 September