Alarm over MidEast ‘hate’ posts

The chairwoman of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, Mary Kluk, pictured, said Israel was protecting its citizens and national interest by its offensive in Gaza.

“We are heartbroken by the suffering in this conflict. Israel is trying to defend their nation from rockets raining down on their civilians.

“Hamas and other militants in Gaza have fired more than 2 400 rockets at Israel since hostilities began on July 8, many towards major cities.

“Israel is simply protecting its citizens, like any government would. The Israeli population do not feel safe because as we speak there are tunnels leading into the country built by Hamas.”

She said the terrorist group was also dressing up as the Israeli Defence Force and was killing innocent people.

“The Jewish state is completely exposed, and because of this vulnerability it has no choice but to defend itself. The Jewish Board is concerned that this conflict is being imported on to South African streets, where each one is taking sides.”

She has also noticed a significant increase in antiSemitic rhetoric.

“The ANC Youth League, for example, posted a picture on their Facebook which said: “Keep calm and kill Jews”. While a post by a party worker went viral as it sang the praises of Adolf Hitler for killing off the Jews.”

She said this type of situation in South Africa was fuelling hate among communities.

In contrast, she has also seen the South African government being even-handed, acknowledging that both sides are torturing one another.

She believes that by South Africa sending delegates to the Middle East it can make a difference.

“South Africa also has a history of violence and oppression which it triumphantly overcame to achieve democracy. The best outcome the South African Jewish community hopes for is a peaceful resolution, in which Palestine and Israel function as two separate, autonomous states that live side by side in harmony,” said Kluk.