Follow up letter on Hajaig's antisemitic comments sent to Minister of Foreign Affairs

Please note that this letter is not a SASHRIP initiative.

A follow up letter, addressed to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, on Fatima Hajaig's antisemitic comments has been sent by several people. A complaint has also been lodged by the SA Jewish Board of Deputies against Ms. Hajaig.

30 January 2009
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Government of South Africa
By fax and email: (012) 323 1502 and somersn@foreign.gov.za

 
Dear Dr Dlamini Zuma

 
CONCERN ABOUT RACIST STATEMENT BY DEPUTY MINISTER HAJAIG
 
We write this letter deeply distressed by the very fact of having to do so.
 
We write because of the public remarks of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fatima Hajaig. She blamed the power of Jewish money for the US’s shameful support of Israel’s devastation of Gaza. This money, she claimed, rules much of the world, besides just the US. Such an antisemitic canard is made all the worse by both its sheer age – dating back at least to the 19th century – and it being a favourite of Hitler and the Nazis.
 
We write to you because of our abhorrence of racism in all its forms. We also write because of your pledge to uphold our Constitution and the statutes flowing from its guarantees, including the unambiguous prohibition of racism. We write more particularly as some of the Jewish signatories to a recent letter opposing the unconditional support given to Israel’s war against Gaza by the SA Jewish Board of Deputies, SA Zionist Federation and Chief Rabbi. We reject the unqualified support of Israel that is based on the false and self-comforting assertion that any criticism of Israel is ipso facto egregious antisemitism.
 
The Deputy Minister's comments feed this misplaced position. In strengthening the notion that opposition to Israeli policy is a thin veneer for antisemitism, the Deputy Minister has bolstered the most implacable supporters of Israeli oppression and occupation. She has undermined those whose commitment to human rights motivates them to work for Palestinian freedom and equality. There are certainly antisemites sympathetic to Palestinian suffering, but these must be isolated, denied the opportunity to sully the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians, and prevented from making racist statements which demean Jews and all people.
 
Some of us wrote to Deputy Minister Hajaig last week asking her to confirm or deny her reported words. She did not respond. Since then, a recording has been posted on the internet showing that she did make these comments. We are therefore obliged to ask you to take appropriate action.
 
Your sincerely
Doron Isaacs
Dot Keet
Dr Ed Wethli
Dr Heidi Grunebaum
Dr Jeff Rudin
Mercia Hotz
Mervyn Bennun
Nathan Geffen
Professor David Sanders
Sue Ruben

 
CC: Mr Gwede Mantashe, ANC General Secretary, by fax: 086 633 1402
Mr Jody Kollapan, South African Human Rights Commission, by email: Jkollapan@sahrc.org.za