Appreciation for the understanding shown by Premier Hendrik Verwoerd for the problems of South African Jewry, arising from Israel’s United Nations vote against South African’s apartheid policy, was expressed today in a joint statement of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies and the Zionist Federation.
The statement reaffirmed the sole political allegiance of South African Jews to South Africa, and explained the nature of the ties between the Jewish community and Israel. The statement stressed that “love of the Holy Land is inherent in the very conception of the Jewish religion.” It declared that the Jew “sees in the revival of Israel, and in the ingathering of exiles, the fulfillment of biblical prophecies in which it is a sacred duty to participate.” The South African Governments and people have always understood and sympathized with this ideal, the statement added.
Noting that funds collected by South African Zionists provide relief and resettlement for Jewish refugees, the statement declared that, because of their conception of the “sacredness of this duty, ” South African Jews “fervently desire that their association with this work of Jewish redemption and rehabilitation should continue.”
DR. SCHNEIDER CLARIFIES POSITION AFTER ANTI-ISRAEL ATTACK BY PRIME MINISTER
Earlier, regret for Israel’s support of the United Nations vote for sanctions against South Africa was expressed by Dr. Teddy Schneider, chairman of the South African Board of Jewish Deputies. He spoke soon after Dr. Verwoerd denounced the Israeli vote. The Premier had warned that South African Jewry might be the hardest hit by sanctions.
Dr. Schneider, speaking at a meeting of the Pretoria Jewish Community Council, said: “We are aware of Israel’s special difficulties and serious problems, yet we cannot but regret its overall vote for sanctions. We all in the past rejoiced at the friendly relations which existed between our country and Israel. Israel too acknowledged the considerable help received from our country.”
Emphasizing that South African Jews had no political allegiance other than to South Africa, and had no say in nor could be held accountable for Israel’s policies, the Jewish leader added: “These developments are very painful to every Jew who loves South Africa and who also cherishes and hopes to continue his association with the Holy Land. It is our profound prayer that the present difficulties will soon disappear.”
Premier Verwoerd expressed his criticism in a two-hour policy address in Roodeport, in which he expressed sympathy for South African Jews for the situation created for them by the Israeli vote. He declared “my strongest sympathy is with South African Jewry in this situation,” and added:
“We must not judge wrongly. We must logically and clearly distinguish between three groups–South African Jewry, the people of Israel, and the Government of Israel. It is the Government of Israel which has taken the decision. I am convinced that South African Jewry is deeply disturbed and not in agreement with what the Government of Israel has done.”
VERWOERD SYMPATHIZES WITH COUNTRY’S JEWS; CITES PREVIOUS AID TO ISRAEL
The Premier declared also that “I am sure the population of Israel has not liked what the Israel Government has done. South African Jewry did everything in its power to make Israel strong. Their sacrifices of money and help were supported by South African Governments because we believed in a national State for Jewry. If ever a nation should understand our policy of separate development, that nation should be Israel. We understood Israel–and what thanks have we got for it now?”
Asserting that, if Israel applied sanctions to South Africa, South African Jews would be among those hardest hit, because of their position in the business world, he added: “I wonder what South African Jewry will say about this. Are they still going to send gifts to Israel and sons to die there?”
He charged that Israel’s diplomatic representation in South Africa meant more to Israel than that to South Africa, and that the same conclusion applied to Israel’s El Al Airline service. He said he knew that Israel’s answer would be that its delegate made reservations about the wisdom of sanctions before the vote but, he added: “That means nothing. Israel cannot shelter itself behind the general vote of the United Nations. We are not going to help Israel out of its dilemma. Israel must decide for itself, and I only hope it will not be ashamed of its decision.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
