Jews and South African Elections

In view of some items that have appeared in the press trying to persuade or disaffect Jewish voters in connection with the coming South African general election, David Mann, chairman, South African Jewish Board of Deputies, today issued the following press statement:

“The country is now in the throes of an election campaign. It should not be necessary to reiterate that Jews, like all other citizens, participate in this election as South Africans, and not as members of a particular community or religious denomination. There are no “Jewish issues’ in this election and it is wrong for any newspaper, political party, or candidate to suggest the contrary. I make an appeal to all concerned neither to employ such tactics nor to be influenced by them.”