By Daniel Bloch
Crispin Sonn, the Chairperson of Bishops Diocesan College, one of South Africa’s most prestigious and well-respected institutions, made an unacceptable, offensive and egregious comment which cannot simply be swept under the rug.
Mr Sonn did not apologise for making highly offensive and racist comments, nor did he apologise for discriminating against anyone or for making defamatory accusations. He simply insinuated that we, the readers, had misinterpreted his comments. Furthermore, his comparison of Zionists to Adolf Hitler is highly offensive and disrespectful to the memory of 6 million Jews who were murdered by the Nazis, under Hitler’s reign of terror. Any mention of Hitler with regard to the Jewish community can only be intended to cause extreme hurt and pain. His accusation of Zionists being racists and of dehumanizing other people is highly defamatory, insulting and incorrect and leaves no room for any alternative interpretation.
The post in question which has caused so much concern, was not-Pro-Palestinian in any way as it did not speak to peace, the ending of the war, a return of the hostages, the rights of the Palestinian people, nor did it condemn the loss of all life. It was simply a defamatory attack against anyone who identifies as a Zionist.
Sonn has not been called out or prohibited for expressing his views on the war in Israel, but rather for labelling Zionists as racists and then going so far as to compare them to the most vicious murderer in the history of humanity – Adolf Hitler.
That someone in his position, would accuse a group of people of being racist and incite violence against this same group, is unacceptable.
It is a pity that Editor, Lance Witten, defends Sonn, without acknowledging the offense caused by Sonn.
Witten says: “To speak out against the genocide being perpetrated by the government of Israel against Palestinians is not anti-Semitic.”
The war in the Middle East is complex and tragic and evokes emotional responses on all sides. We have seen these tensions spill over into educational institutions, resulting in bullying, physical assaults, racism, discrimination and antisemtisim, amongst students, parents and professional faculty. The term Zionism has been grossly distorted, misused, politicized and incorporated into hateful rhetoric. Antisemitism is currently barely disguised as anti-Zionism. The lines have become increasingly blurred, to the extent that we see aggressive groups of anti-Israel activists standing outside Jewish schools and synagogues calling for the death of Zionists and praying that Hitler returns to finish the job. Perhaps Witten is unaware of these protestors screaming “one Zionist one bullet” and then continue by yelling “Jews go back to Europe”.
In a post-apartheid, South Africa, to accuse the Jewish community or anyone of being racist and prejudiced against black people is untrue and unacceptable. In this volatile political environment Sonn’s statement could spark incitement, hatred and even violence against anyone who identifies as a Zionist.
Problematic in its own rights, is Witten’s fallacious comments that he is aware of many Jews who fought against Apartheid, however “I don’t believe we can count Zionists among them”. More than 90% of South African Jews identify as Zionists having a deep personal, spiritual and religious connection to the holy land of Israel. He continues by quoting Nelson Mandela on how South Africa will be free when Palestine is free. What he fails to share is Mandela’s quote in support of Israel: “As a movement, we recognise the legitimacy of Palestinian nationalism just as we recognise the legitimacy of Zionism and a Jewish nationalism. We insist on the right of the state of Israel to exist within secure borders but with equal vigour to support the Palestinian right to national self-determination.”
There is no place for hate in our society and words matter – peace can only be achieved through dialogue. I encourage Mr Witten to be mindful of these, especially in his powerful position as editor of and I would be open to meeting with him to discuss things further.
* Daniel Bloch, Executive Director, Cape South African Jewish Board of Deputies.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of or Independent Media.
