South Africa accused of ‘plain antisemitism’ after ‘sacking’ Jewish captain
Cricket South Africa (CSA) have been accused of ‘plain antisemitism’ after stripping Jewish participant David Teeger of the under-19 captaincy forward of the upcoming World Cup. It was introduced final week that Teeger would now not captain the aspect after making pro-Israel feedback at an award ceremony in October.
Teeger accepted an award at a Jewish neighborhood occasion and devoted it to ‘the state of Israel and each single soldier combating in order that we will stay and thrive within the diaspora’. He was then requested to step down by CSA earlier than he was finally faraway from the captaincy, with the physique citing security considerations after concluding that Teeger was more likely to be the main target of protests.
The South African Jewish Board of Deputies hit out on the determination to strip Teeger of the captaincy, branding it a ‘shame’ for which ‘the one clarification is obvious antisemitism’. Their views have since been echoed by the Jewish Leadership Council, who firmly condemned the transfer in a letter to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday.
The letter read: “Jewish people around the world have been alarmed to see a rising Jewish sports star singled out in this way due to his identity. Press reports also suggest that the decision came off the back of political pressure applied by the South African government.
“Yesterday, our colleagues on the SAJBD met with CSA who failed to offer any proof of safety threats or clarify why such threats would justify the singling out of a Jewish participant for demotion. SAJDB concluded after the assembly that Teeger’s removing was ‘plain antisemitism’.
“At a time of rising antisemitism, not just here but globally, this sends a signal to Jewish athletes that they may be singled out and discriminated against by their peers. As the tournament is due to begin in a few days, I urge the ECB to speak out against the decision by CSA and stand with Jewish people around the world against antisemitism.”
The Palestinian Solidarity Alliance (PSA) had been amongst these to complain about Teeger’s feedback whereas different stakeholders in South African cricket demanded his removing from the nationwide staff, in line with ESPN. It can be stated that the PSA have utilized for the suitable to stage peaceable protests on the under-19 World Cup and anticipate no objections.
The authorities of South Africa have adopted a hardline stance towards Israel‘s navy motion in Gaza, which has seen 1000’s of civilian deaths on each side of the battle. They lately took Israel to the International Court of Justice on a cost of genocide, whereas pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrations have taken place throughout the nation in latest months.