Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein and the respective chairmen
of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies and Zionist
Federation were included in a six-person Jewish delegation
that met last Friday with Palestinian Authority President
Mahmoud Abbas. The half-hour meeting, which was held at the
Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town, took place shortly after Abbas
had addressed the South African Parliament and met with the
Muslim Judicial Council. Other members of the delegation were
Zev Krengel (National Vice-chairman Jewish Board of
Deputies), Moonyeen Castle (Cape Council chairperson) and
Jonathan Silke (National Vice-chairman Zionist Federation).
Abbas was accompanied by Palestinian ambassador Ali
Halima.
The Jewish delegation reiterated Israel's commitment to
working for a lasting peace in the Middle East. At the same
time, it fully endorsed the refusal of the Israeli government
to meet with the ruling Hamas party until Hamas has complied
with the three preconditions set out by the Quartet. These
were the recognition of the legitimacy of the State of Israel
and its right to exist in peace and security, the abandonment
of methods of violence, including terrorism, and the
acceptance of the international agreements signed by Israel
and the Palestinian Liberation Organization.
President Abbas expressed his desire to resume negotiations
with Israel. He stated that any settlements could only be
achieved if Israel was secure and Hamas did not pursue its
present policy. He said he would institute a referendum to
determine the will of the people.
Abbas further called on the South African Jewish and Muslim
communities to foster good relations locally and jointly to
express their desire for parties in the Middle East to resume
peace talks. The Muslim Judicial Council in South Africa has
swung sharply towards supporting radical Islamic movements in
recent years, including Hamas and Hizbullah, and has issued a
number of virulently antisemitic statements.
Both parties at the meeting paid tribute to the SA government
for facilitating the meeting. Abbas said South Africa was
well placed to play role in peace talks and as a mediator
because of its good relations with the Palestinians and
Israelis.
