South Africa

South Africa to reprimand Israel's ambassador

The move comes days after the South African government announced it was recalling its entire diplomatic mission from Israel.

Israeli compassion has been a double edged sword

A surfeit of pity has given Israel a near death experience. Palestinian Arab lives spared by Israel? Paid for by Israeli lives lost. Op-ed.

South Africa recalls amb. to Israel, accuses Israel of genocide

Israeli Foreign Ministry accuses South African govt. of rewarding Hamas for its massacre of over 1,400 Israelis.

South Africa:

Chief Rabbi rewrites prayer after government supports Hamas

Following the amendment, Jews will pray for the people of South Africa and not the government.

At least 73 killed in South Africa fire

Death toll expected to rise after fire engulfs building used to shelter hundreds of homeless people in the middle of the night.

BDS to South African teams:

'Cancel friendlies against Maccabi Tel Aviv'

BDS movement calls on South African soccer clubs to cancel upcoming friendlies against Maccabi Tel Aviv, cites "Israeli apartheid".

South Africa:

At least 16 dead in gas leak near Johannesburg

Authorities say the leak is believed to have been linked to illegal mining activities. Children are among those killed.

South Africa:

Lawmaker says Jewish school should be 'deregistered'

South African lawmaker says Cape Town-based Jewish day school should be “deregistered” due to being pro-Israel.

Biden and Blinken educate Likud about democracy?

Even completely corrupt South Africa could teach the B…s a lesson in democracy. Op-ed.

South African Jewish journalist Jeremy Gordin murdered at home

Jeremy Gordin murdered at age 70 during burglary of his Johannesburg home.

Rugby league says exclusion of Israel not discrimination

Rugby’s governing body rules that South Africa’s exclusion of Israel was not discrimination. The Israeli team is skeptical.

S.A. writer equates Russian invasion and Israel's "invasion"

A Business faculty makes Russia’s invasion equal to Israel’s “invasion” - and says it wants to combat 'misinformation.' Really? Op-ed.

In wake of Israel ban:

US rugby urged to withdraw from South Africa tournament

US Jewish organizations call on California-based rugby team to pull out of South African competition that disinvited an Israeli team.

South African parliament votes to downgrade ties with Israel

The measure was backed by 208 lawmakers, while 94 opposed it.

South Africa:

Ruling party welcomes expulsion of Israeli diplomat

South Africa's governing ANC party says expulsion of Israeli diplomat from African Union summit was "encouraging".

Judging from a bubble: South Africa and Israel

Could a day-dreamer about the state of S. Africa be wide awake about Israel? Not if he confuses the rule of law with rule by lawyers.Op-ed.

South Africa Rugby withdraws invitation to Israeli team

South Africa Rugby withdraws initiation to Tel Aviv Heat, cites need "to avoid competition becoming a source of division".

Rabbi of war and peace: Chief Rabbi B. M. Casper of South Africa

He was a military and spiritual leader of the Jewish Brigade, a main nucleus of the reborn modern Israel’s Israel Defense Force,

What I learned from “The South African Jewish Year Book 1929”

Tales of thousands of good Jews who, while not as religious as their parents had been, gave charity and created a model Jewish community.

Watch: 'Most wanted' Israeli arrested in South Africa

The international criminal was connected to one of Israel's most notorious gangsters and the last 7 years on Interpol's Most Wanted list.

The light of Rabbi L. Rabinowitz, past S. African Chief Rabbi

Continuing with the series of articles on foreign born rabbis who have served and become famous in South Africa.

An American who became a great South African Rosh Yeshiva.

Continuing the series about foreign born rabbis who selflessly served South African Jewry over decades.

Selfless Rabbis and the wives who braved It out in South Africa

There are a number of famous “rabbinical couples” that moved to South Africa and made their mark. The Tanzers are a case in point.

Jewish hopes, dreams and struggles in South Africa: Part III

Every country where Jews have lived has its own Jewish history. A rabbi reminisces, stories about a once thriving Jewish community. Op-ed.

A Rabbi reminisces on Jewish hopes and struggles in S. Africa.

Stories that will touch your heart from “With Ink in the Book...Stories and Sketches of Jewish Life in Rural Centers in South Africa."

A Rabbi on Jewish hopes, dreams and struggles in South Africa.

The rural South Africa Jewish community goes from observant to ignorant in the span of less than a century and this rabbi recorded it.

South Africa is the dirty pot calling the Jewish kettle black

Quick-fire accusers -No member of the United Nations quite matches South Africa for speed of condemnation of Israel. Op-ed.

S. African Jewish newspaper penalized for criticizing BDS cartoon

South African Jewish publication kicked out of main press body for refusing to apologize for labelling BDS cartoon antisemitic.

Death toll in South African floods surpasses 340

Officials declared a disaster emergency after catastrophic flooding ravaged entire communities in the Durban area.

Germany rips Russia over claim it is 'fighting Nazis' in Ukraine

'We're kinda experts on Nazism,' says German embassy in South Africa, after Russia claims its invasion of Ukraine is to 'fight Nazism.'

SA twins plead guilty to plotting terror attacks against Jews

Twins plead guilty to multiple terror charges, including attempting to join ISIS and planning to attack Jewish events and conferences.

African Union rejects bid to strip Israel of observer status

Attempt by Algeria and South Africa to revoke Israel of its status as observer in African Union rejected.

South Africa:

Former top judge apologizes for pro-Israel comments

South Africa's former chief justice apologizes for comments he made in 2020 pledging support for Israel.

Hail to the Chief

Steve Biko gave a new dimension to the struggle for freedom. His cruel murder and the incarceration of his colleagues didn't stop it. Op-ed.

South African doctor: 'Omicron leaving as quickly as it came'

'In South Africa those who were vaccinated suffered only mild illness from Omicron - unlike those who weren't vaccinated,' Dr. Coetzee says.

'The right to enter Israel is the birthright of every Jew'

The Chief Rabbi of South Africa, Rabbi Warren Goldstein, says that Israel's travel ban has been traumatic for Diaspora Jews.

Chief Rabbi of South Afrirca:

Limited lifting of ban is not enough, rescind it completely

Rabbi Warren Goldstein: "No fundamental policy shift has been made: Jews from “red” countries still cannot enter the country".

Archbishop Tutu and the disturbing power of intersectionality

South Africa’s struggle was nothing like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but Tutu's bias showed how easily myths lead people astray. Op-ed.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu dies at age 90

Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for part in South Africa's struggle against apartheid dies at age 90.

South African Miss Universe contestant receives death threats

Lalela Mswane, who finished in third place at the pageant in Israel, calls out voices in her country who had called for a boycott.

South African President tests positive for COVID-19

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa receiving treatment for mild COVID-19 symptoms.

WHO: Data suggests Omicron is ‘less severe’

World Health Organization says severe cases of new COVID-19 variant remain low in South Africa.

A secret Hanukkah menorah in a South African Muslim neighborhood

Ma'or, married to a Muslim man before fleeing to Israel with her children, recounts the moment she realized her place was not among Muslims.

Doctor who discovered Omicron: Most cases are 'extremely mild'

South African physician who discovered Omicron variant says panic at this stage is unwarranted, noting most cases are 'very mild'.

South Arica to Israel: Vaccine effective against Omicron strain

Early data from South Africa encouragingly shows that the vaccines are effective against serious illness even against the Omicron variant.

Omicron variant:

Mortality doubles in S. Africa where new variant first found

Head of Public Health Services Dr. Sharon Alray-Price: Variant has 38 mutations in spike protein, precisely in areas we're concerned about.

South Africa: We are being punished for our early detection

South Africa has started engaging countries that have imposed travel bans to persuade them to reconsider.

WHO names new COVID-19 variant 'Omicron'

World Health Organization says newly identified COVID-19 variant in South Africa is a "variant of concern".

WW Heritage Foundation share in the loss of Eliyahu Kay

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation offer condolences to the bereaved family of former South African employee Eliyahu Kay.

South Africa denounces beauty queen over Israel visit

South African government dissociates itself from decision by Miss South Africa to take part in annual Miss Universe in Israel.

Booker Prize goes to novel about a Jewish mother’s dying wish

Author Damon Galgut wins prestigious prize for novel about South African Jewish woman's dying wish.

SA may be the most antisemitic government in the free world

Mandela was sympathetic to Zionism as a movement for freedom and self-determination. Today SA befriends N. Korea, not Israel.Op-ed.

South Africa’s do or die remedy

A merit-free economy and a doomed society are wedded. Discard merit and you invite collapse. Witness South Africa. Op-ed.

Could political rioting have caused chemical spill in S. Africa?

Investigators are trying to decide whether a chemical spill off the coast of Durban was caused by a warehouse fire looted by protesters.

Watch: Food shortage in S. Africa with dozens killed in riots

'Utter chaos' has enveloped South Africa in wake of the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma.

45 killed in South Africa riots

Police Minister says violence which followed jailing of former president could leave parts of country without food.

Watch: Rioting across S. Africa as former president sentenced

Stick-wielding protesters looted & marched through the streets of Johannesburg as former president was sentenced to prison for corruption.

Watch: Supporters of former S. African leader demand his release

South Africa's former President was due to begin a jail term on corruption charges, but an appeal is holding up the punishment.

Sisyphus and our never ending task as Jews

Facing an audience whose mind is made up on anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism makes pushing Sisyphus' boulder up the hill seem easy. Op-ed.

Chief Rabbi of South Africa: There's no apartheid in Israel

Rabbi Warren Goldstein disputes South African President's claim regarding Israel's policy but shares calls for peace.