RACIAL PROFILING CLAIMS A LIE - SOUTH AFRICAN JEWSIH BOARD OF DEPUTIES
12 August 2009
Baseless Misinformation Needs to be Countered
As an innovative organization that arranges a festival of Jewish learning and culture, Limmud SA embraces the full spectrum of Jewish religious and political opinion and thought.
Given the large number of delegates involved at Limmud SA and the potential threat of violence, the University and Limmud SA worked together to increase security. Members of the University and conference delegates were all allowed to enter onto the university premises. The notion that racial profiling took place is a lie put out to try and harm the image of Limmud SA and the University with no justification. It is also offensive in that it assumes all Jews are whites (which is false) and that we did not have delegates who were of differing racial groups. It also represents an ugly form of anti-semitism, seeking to label Jews as racist. Indeed, the protesting groups organised by the Palestine Solidarity Committee repeatedly hurled abuse at conference delegates calling those - simply because they were Jewish - Nazis and racists. This goes beyond the boundaries of legitimate speech into hate speech and represents an insidious and disgraceful form of discrimination.
The Wits University Community who are concerned with equality, dignity and freedom for all would have been proud of the way in which the Limmud SA conference was conducted on Wits campus. If anyone wishes to come forward with comments as to the way in which any aspect of the Limmud conference was handled, we are open to hear any issues that need to be raised.
It is in the spirit of learning and constructive engagement that David Benjamin, a senior lawyer and former legal advisor to the Israel Defence Force, and Shlomy Zachary, a human rights lawyer working in Israel and an expert in international humanitarian law presented their differing views on the Middle East conflict and, in particular, Israel's compliance with or violation of international law. Contrary to the claims made by the MRN and PSC, Benjamin has not been indicted on any charges nor has he been convicted of any crime.
Those committed to human rights will not convict someone without hearing their point of view, nor will they prevent them from speaking on the basis of an allegation. WitsUniversity as with any other institution should not take any view or express any opinion on a matter that does not lie within its jurisdiction and is to be commended for allowing the Limmud organisation to continue to promote academic freedom and debate on Wits campus where some voices wish to drown those out.
Based on democratic principles, Limmud SA is committed to allowing the right of individuals to protest even against decisions of our organisation or those who present at Limmud SA. That right must be exercised responsibly and be consonant with the right of delegates to associate freely and enter into the conference area. A senior member of the Limmud executive defended the right of Wits students to protest whilst requesting that they enable conference delegates to enter the building. The protest went ahead peacefully on these grounds.
Free speech really matters where we are prepared to defend the rights of those with whom we may even vehemently disagree. Limmud SA represents the spirit of the post-apartheid South Africa by holding out the possibility of a community in which diversity and inclusivity are celebrated. We hope through dialogue and constructive discussion to advance the cause of knowledge but also hopefully peace and human rights in our world.
David Bilchitz and Wayne Sussman
Statement issued by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies.
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