Judge Arthur Chaskalson and others strongly condemn all the violence in Gaza. See there statement below, including support for the statement made by some 300 South African Jews on the issue.

“As South African Jews we wish to identify ourselves with the sentiments expressed in the statement by over 300 South African Jews entitled “Response by members of the South African Jewish community to a statement by the Jewish Board of Deputies, Zionist Federation and Chief Rabbi concerning Israel’s attack on Gaza”, condemning the excessive force that has been used by Israel.

Whilst we unreservedly condemn the firing of rockets at Israeli towns by Hamas, we consider Israel’s response which has caused widespread death, destruction and suffering in Gaza to be inhumane and disproportionate. 1300 Palestinian residents of Gaza and 13 Israelis have already lost their lives, in a conflict that is likely to inflame feelings in the region, and holds out little prospect for peace.
It is critically important that these recent events do not imperil relations between sectors of South African society, and vital that people of all faiths and none engage with the issues at stake rationally, in good conscience and with due regard to international law including international human rights law.

We fervently hope that the recent cease fire will hold, that obstacles to a lasting peace in the region will be removed, and that negotiations now take place with the necessary political will of all the parties concerned to secure a just and lasting peace.”

Justice Arthur Chaskalson
Jules Browde S.C.
Dr Selma Browde
Geoff Budlender S.C.
David Goldblatt
Nadine Gordimer
William Kentridge
Justice Carole Lewis
Gilbert Marcus S.C.
Professor Gill Marcus
Rick Menell
Sir Antony Sher
Gillian Slovo
Dr AnnMarie Wolpe