The South African Zionist Federation Cape Council (SAZF CC) has firmly defended its decision to host the Zionist Connect Conference in Cape Town, rejecting allegations made by the Media Review Network (MRN) as “baseless claims” intended to “spread misinformation and sow division".
Amid tensions and citing past disruptions of Jewish events, the federation reaffirms its commitment to providing a safe platform for South African Jewish expression while promoting peaceful dialogue about Israel.
“Our decision to hold this conference is based on the principles of free speech and the right to gather, as protected by our Constitution,” the SAZF stated.
The conference, which has drawn sharp criticism from MRN, is described by SAZF as an opportunity for South African Jews to express their identity and engage in dialogue about Israel.
“The South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) represents the majority of South African Jews who support Israel, the world’s only Jewish state and a beacon of democracy in the Middle East,” said SAZF.
“Unlike MRN, the SAZF advocates for peace and the right of Jewish South Africans to express their identity without fear.”
Among concerns over security, SAZF CC assured that all necessary precautions were being taken.
“As we prepare for this event, ensuring the safety of our attendees is our top priority. We will conduct our conference in a secure environment and reserve the right of admission,” they said.
Citing past incidents, the federation highlighted previous disruptions at Jewish-related events.
“Every example of a Jewish-related event with open attendance has been met with violence. We refer to last year’s ‘Israel Apartheid Week’ on the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) campus, where Jewish students had to be evacuated for their own safety," said the organisation.
"We also refer to a high-profile incident in Cape Town (November 2023), where a peaceful Christian prayer rally for Israel on the Sea Point Promenade was violently disrupted by hundreds of anti-Israel supporters.”
The SAZF emphasised its commitment to democratic principles, asserting that opposition to the conference was an attack on fundamental rights.
“South Africans have the right to assemble and talk, to debate and engage. This is what we are doing. Any individuals or organisations that would attempt to stop this are not anti-Israel – they are anti-South African and anti-democratic.”
Despite the controversy, the federation stood firm in its stance.
“The SAZF remains committed to protecting the rights of South African Jews and promoting peace. We trust that those objecting will respect our right to gather peacefully, just as they exercise their own rights. We stand firm in our commitment to freedom of expression.”
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