So. African Jewish Body Urges Jews to Vote As Citizens, Not As Jews

The 21st biennial congress of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies closed here last night with the adoption of a resolution reiterating, on the eve of South Africa’s national elections, the Board’s long-standing position that Jews in this country vote on political issues as citizens, not as Jews. Edel Horowitz was elected president of the Board, succeeding I. Maisels, who retired after three terms.

A unanimously adopted resolution declared; “Jews participate in South African public life as citizens of South Africa and have no collective attitude to political issues which the citizens are called upon to decide. Jews share with their fellow citizens of other faiths and origins a common responsibility for our country’s affairs and participate according to their individual convictions. This congress deprecates appeals to Jews as Jews regarding political issues.”

The resolution also dealt with the racial question, the most explosive issue in South African life. It expressed the belief that it is of “overriding importance in the national interest that the racial policies of our country be based in principles of tolerance, justice and respect.”

The resolution urged “every Jew to play his part in his own sphere in furthering interracial and intergroup goodwill and harmony. ” It expressed “appreciation of the fact that the Board’s activities continue to be directed towards the promotion of better understanding and goodwill between the Jewish community and other sections of the population.”

Earlier, at a luncheon in his honor, the delegates hailed Gus Saron. the Board’s general secretary, on the occasion of his completion of 21 years of service to the organization. Prof. Salo Baron of Columbia University, Jewish historian, addressed the final session of the congress.