South African Jews See Anti-semitic Links; Note Israel’s Stand on Apartheid

The 25th biennial Congress of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies closed here today with the adoption of a report by its executive council that stressed the continued maintenance of inter-community understanding and good will between Jews and non-Jews, especially in light of differences that have developed recently between South Africa and Israel over the latter’s support of anti-apartheid policies in the United Nations.

The four day gathering was addressed by Dr. Judah Shapiro, of New York, former director of the National Foundation for Jewish Culture, and Mayor Ross Spencer, of Johannesburg who extended civic greetings to the Jewish community leadership of South Africa. Other speakers were Teddy Schneider, president and Maurice Porter, chairman of the Jewish Board of Deputies.

Reviewing the events of the past year, the report took note of anti-Semitic incidents, the most serious of which was a clash last April between Jewish youths and a group of German immigrants who were trying to celebrate Hitler’s birthday in a Johannesburg beer hall. It also cited a link between local anti-Semitic groups and disseminators of anti-Semitic propaganda in the United States, Britain, Sweden and South America. But, the report noted, with reference to the beer hall incident, Prime Minister B. J. Vorster “made it clear that foreign ideologies were not welcome in the Republic and anti-Semitism would not be tolerated.”

The report emphasized the sympathetic attitude of the South African government and people toward Israel, especially during the Six-Day War. It pointed out, however, that “South African Jewry, despite its ardent Zionism, is in no way accountable for the actions of Israel which, as a sovereign state, determines its policies in light of its own principles and interests.” The report expressed regret that “in certain circles in both countries, there is lacking a proper understanding of the policies and problems of the respective governments.”

The report stated further that “in the overall perspective, the Jewish community is well integrated and the Jewish citizen enjoys full opportunities in all spheres.” However, it added, “views expressed by the State of Israel critical of South Africa’s race policies continue periodically to call for adverse reactions in the Republic and to confront the local Jewish community with special problems in the public relations field.” The report emphasized that there is no specifically Jewish viewpoint on South Africa’s problems, and that Jews are to be found among the supporters of all political viewpoints and trends.