The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) has deplored the recent violence against foreigners in several townships in South Africa and expressed deep concern about the unfolding humanitarian crisis that has resulted. “The brutal targeting of innocent people solely because of their origins are criminal, racist acts that strike at the very heart of the tolerant, peaceful and democratic society that South Africans are striving to build, a SAJBD statement said, adding: “Already, thousands of people have been left destitute, many have been injured and a growing number have lost their lives.” The SAJBD, the umbrella organizations of Jews in South Africa, urged all citizens to take a firm stand against xenophobia and to assist wherever they can in helping its victims rebuild their lives. Last week, xenophobic violence exploded in the Pretoria and Johannesburg areas, where at least 26 people were killed, hundreds injured and thousands homeless. Aggressions against foreign workers mainly from other African countries has now spread to other cities in South Africa.
SAJBD chairman Zev Krengel likened the attacks to the kind of racist attacks that Jews had been subjected to in the course of their history, as well as to the deadly civil strife taking place elsewhere in Africa. "The SAJBD believes that the indiscriminate targeting of foreign nationals is reminiscent of some of the darkest periods of Jewish history, when helpless Jews were subjected to murderous attacks by the host nations amongst whom they lived. It is further reminiscent of the terrible sectarian violence that has resulted, and continues to result, in genocidal atrocities in other parts of the continent," he said.
The SAJBD, in partnership with other Jewish organisations, has mobilized the Jewish community to come to the aid of those affected by the unrest. Last Friday, the first consignment of donated materials, including food, clothing, blankets and hygiene packs, were handed over to the South African Red Cross. Further handovers will continue to be made as more material is received.
Read SAJBD press release
