South Africa’s BDS Intimidation Tactics

The South African BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement is exceptionally talented at irking both Jews and Israelis. Their networking seems unrivaled as they aim to send out provocative Anti-Zionist messaging in every local public area including Sports, Academics, Politics and Commerce.

We have already seen the Football For Humanity match whereby Cyril Rampahosa and Naledi Pandor agreed with the chant “From The River To The Sea, Palestine Shall Be Free”. We have also seen Freedom Scrubs (Palestinian flag graduation gown items) appearing on social media from public universities across the country.

The most notable invasive tactic in local commerce has been the unsolicited placement of genocide stickers on camping clothing and accessories at multiple branches of Cape Union Mart. The latest invasive commercial tactic was the unsolicited public disruption of the Kosher For Passover aisle of Pick n Pay Norwood Mall in Johannesburg. Quite remarkably, the blue and white Jewish decor hanging above the Kosher For Passover aisle was used as a tactic by SAJFP (South African Jews For A Free Palestine) to claim pro-genocide messaging!

Passover is a religious Jewish festival that commemorates the biblical story of the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. A specific section of retail foods is therefore required annually for the 8 day festival as only unleavened bread (Matzah) may be eaten as the Israelites left in a hurry. Many food items are accordingly restricted during this time. It is very normal to see Jewish religious symbols like blue and white colors and the Star Of David in food aisles during this time of the year. Pick n Pay’s choice of promotional decor – to the best of my knowledge – made no reference to the State of Israel, the IDF or any other political movement. However the BDS movement engineered further intimidation and animosity towards Jews and Israelis on social media.

SAJFP stated on Instagram “Yesterday, we called for @picknpay to remove the Israeli products from their shelves. Today, the flag has been removed from their display but the products remain. We want our grocery stores to be Apartheid Free Zones. @picknpay pick the right side of history. Stand boldly against genocide and dispossession. We know that boycotts work! The isolation of South Africa helped bring us freedom in ‘94 Stand with the South African government and oppose Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people. We refuse to buy Israeli products. We refuse to be complicit. @picknpay what do you choose?”

The local BDS Movement stated on Instagram “VICTORY!! Pick n Pay Norwood has taken down their Zionist genocide-supporting display. This is the power of public outrage, truth-telling, and people refusing to stay silent in the face of genocide. But this is not the end. Now, Pick n Pay, take all Israeli products off your shelves. You cannot take down the symbols and keep funding the system. All goods marked “Product of Israel” sold in your store go to profit the illegal occupation, apartheid, ethnic cleansing and genocide. We see you. We will keep watching. Just as we mobilized millions across the world to boycott Apartheid South Africa we will keep organizing to end the impunity of Apartheid Israel. Because Palestine is still bleeding and South Africa refuses to be complicit in apartheid, genocide and settler colonialism.”

The absolute irony of the Palestine Solidarity Alliance being tagged in these Instagram posts is a very curious video which circulated on their Instagram in October 2024. The video begins with a local child dressed up as a Hamas militant as the outfit comprised of an Arabic headscarf disguise, a kids sized camo tracksuit and a Hamas logo sticker on the child’s left arm!

Displaying Signs Of The Conflict In South African Law  

South Africa’s misinformation and hate speech watchdog The Real 411 has already adjudicated on the PSA Image. Their final verdict was as follows: “The content does not meet the criteria for incitement to violence or hate speech under South African law. The symbols and language in question, while controversial and provocative, fall under the ambit of protected political speech.” – https://www.real411.org/complaints-view/l6uz0bpm

The irony of the Pick n Pay issue is therefore tremendous. If the PSA is legally allowed to display provocative political signs just before the 1 year anniversary of the October 7 terror attacks, then of course Pick n Pay is legally allowed to display non-provocative religious Jewish symbols and decor in the Kosher For Passover section!

Anti-Zionism And Antisemitism

The icing on this cake (cake is not a Kosher For Passover item by the way) is the South African Presidency’s recent Passover message to the local Jewish community!

Cyril Ramaphosa wished the South Africa’s Jewish community Chag Pesach Sameach for the celebration of Passover this weekend. “I wish Jewish South Africans a happy and meaningful Passover, with the feast of seder uniting family and friends. This celebration is a widely respected tradition in our nation where we are blessed with a diversity of faith and culture that reflects our common humanity. Occasions such as these inspire us to keep striving for a country and a world free of division, intolerance, conflict and inequality.”

The President’s message of goodwill falls flatter than a piece of Matzah as the Presidency and DIRCO have aligned itself within avenues of the local BDS movement before and after the Hamas Massacre. They have taken aggressive Anti Zionist actions (most notably the controversial multi-million rand ICJ Genocide Case) while trying to maintain an apparent moral position that they are still tolerant of South African Jews.

The greatest irony of course, is the famous Passover message from Moses to Pharaoh, “Let My People Go”. This chant still applies as Hamas still holds 59 hostages in Gaza after more than 550 days, despite the practice of hostage-taking being a blatant violation of International Humanitarian Law!

Conclusion

It is time for the South African public to become more critically aware of the local BDS movement’s invasive actions in public spheres. They aim to broadly affect the opinions of South African citizens by increasing Anti-Israel sentiment, which is a form of Xenophobia.

The intended strategy of the local BDS movement is to transform local support for Israel from an asset into a liability! South Africa’s Pro Hamas journalism group Media Review Network recently reposted the following message on X

“You shouldn’t be friends with Israelis, you shouldn’t be polite to Israelis. You shouldn’t eat Israeli food or go to Israeli restaurants or dance with Israelis in clubs or associate with any Israeli person at all. Anything short of permanent unconditional hostility is a betrayal.”

This twisted strategy is simply unacceptable. The local BDS movement has unveiled its true aim, which is to win public opinion for the Palestinian cause not by uplifting Palestinians but by unfairly vilifying Israelis.

I will still support Pick n Pay Norwood Mall as the store staff were taken by surprise. They were unfairly pressured into making a decision out of fear of the local BDS movement. Management has subsequently replaced the Jewish decor following a complaint made by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD).

It is now time for store managers across South Africa to take a firm stand against similar unsolicited intimidation tactics. From now on, retail security must instruct these “political activists” to stop their sly social media escapades. BDS operatives must stop filming retail store propaganda. They must be instructed to head directly to the check-out in the express lane!