Cosatu man needs to look at definition of anti-Semitism endorsed by 31 nations

IN THE page 9 report on racism (Weekend Argus, April 6, “Cosatu slams Jewish Board”) Paul Bester, provincial organiser, would have readers believe the union is not being racist/anti-Semitic.

He would be served by examining the Budapest 2015 findings of the committee on anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial where 31 states adopted this definition: “With humanity still scarred by antiSemitism and xenophobia, the international community shares a solemn responsibility to fight those evils. Anti-Semitism is hatred directed toward Jewish individuals, their property, community institutions and religious facilities.

(It is) the targeting of the state of Israel, with criticism not levelled against any other democracy, and is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms and action, and employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits.”

The committee’s definitions:

Calling for, aiding or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.

Making mendacious, dehumanising, demonising or stereotypical allegations about Jews.

Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group,

Denying the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of (Nazi) Germany and its supporters and accomplices during WWII.

Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.

Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel than to the interests of their own nations.

Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination.

Applying double standards by requiring a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.

Using the symbols and images associated with classic anti-Semitism to characterise Israel or Israelis.

Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.

Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.

Bester would serve Cosatu well if he visited Israel to see for himself why anti-Semitism is illegal.

ANA ARCHIVES THE violent response to a book about ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has made it clear that some in the ANC won’t let go of the past, says the writer. |