Connect, Collaborate, Community – DANIEL BLOCH Exec. Director Cape SAJBD
On April 1st, you will be reading this article, and “NO”, it will not be an April Fools prank!
We are now almost a quarter of the way through the year, and there is so much to talk about – but has anything really changed? Trump took office in January and turned the entire world upside down – some will say in a good way, while others are preparing for Armageddon! One of those upside-down decisions was against South Africa, and now (hopefully not by the time you read this) we may be on the brink of sanctions, dismissed from AGOA and cast aside for supporting terrorist organisations. Oh, yes, and the budget speech was postponed!
Yet our government is standing fast against these so-called ‘bullies’ and on another day, we would applaud them for not capitulating to the Trump pressure. However, this time around, we are pleading with Cyril and his team to make the right decision, which would be in the best interests of all South African citizens. Only time will tell if Cyril will truly speak for all South Africans, or only a few who share his misguided objectives.
Anti-Israel protests and motorcades into Sea Point started drumming up some support. However, just as quickly as 1200 people gathered in Sea Point in February, the following week, a paltry few turned up to harass the residents of the area. So, has anything changed on that front? Not really – it is still a small number of hate-filled anti-Israel groups who have nothing better to do than gather together over the weekend, to spew their hatred. And their support seems to be waning even further. It seems South Africans and many around the world are tired of the lies and misinformation – especially after learning how Hamas brutally murdered two young Jewish children whilst in captivity, and then paraded their coffins for the world to see.
Load-shedding came back for a short bit and then disappeared. Then came back for a weekend and then disappeared. Should we be charging our flashlights again? The Proteas made another cup semi-final and then fell short – none of us are shocked anymore. And Cape Town was voted the best city in the world for 2025 – according to Time Out – again, we are not surprised by this decision as we do live in the greatest city in the world.
Israel Apartheid Week (IAW) takes place at the end of March, and SAUJS is preparing for another session of countering the anti-Israel narrative on campus, speaking on behalf of the young Jewish voices and standing up to the misinformation and lies spread by the anti-Israel student bodies at both UCT and Stellenbosch University. We have had meetings with the Vice Chancellors of both UCT and Stellenbosch to discuss IAW and to ensure that all students on campus have a voice and are protected.
Despite the issues plaguing our government, the anti-Israel protests, the scourge that is IAW and other challenges facing our community, one thing that has not changed and remained steadfast is our community’s resilience, strength and resolve. Throughout some good, bad and ugly times, our community has displayed an unwavering commitment to our Judaism and a steadfast support for Israel, reinforcing our Zionism for the land Hashem promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jews have always shown resilience – our Western Cape community is no different. ●
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