South African Jewry Faces a Grim Future

In South Africa, student-council presidents praise Hitler and call on their universities to expel Jewish students, while major political parties endorse BDS, cutting diplomatic ties with Israel, and prosecuting South African Jews who have served in the IDF. R. W. Johnson discusses the roots of this shift:

Thabo Mbeki, who became president [of South Africa] in 1999, suffered badly from paranoia and a grandiosity complex. He wanted to be president not just of South Africa but of all Africa and even of the whole Third World. Thus he pumped life and money into the long-defunct Non-Aligned Movement so that he could preside over it. And like so many who have spent their life in the struggle, he wanted the struggle to go on. If Africa’s liberation was now complete, where else should the struggle move? Obviously, to Israel—another mainly white implant in the Third World. . . .

Mbeki [worked to lay] the groundwork for an international anti-Israel campaign closely modeled on the old anti-apartheid model, with mounting pressure for boycotts, disinvestment, and sanctions. The African National Congress was still well connected to the old international anti-apartheid network and was able to use this array of generally left-wing organizations to popularize the new cause. The result has been the mushrooming growth of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Read more at Standpoint

More about: Anti-Semitism, BDS, Jewish World, South Africa, South African Jewry

Kuwait Should Be the Next Country to Make Peace with Israel

Feb. 13 2025

Like his predecessor, Donald Trump seeks to expand the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia. But there are other Arab nations that might consider taking such a step. Ahmad Charai points to Kuwait—home to the Middle East’s largest U.S. army base and desperately in need of economic reform—as a good candidate. Kuwaitis haven’t forgiven Palestinians for supporting Saddam Hussein during his 1990 invasion, but their country has been more rhetorically hostile to Israel than its Gulf neighbors:

The Abraham Accords have reshaped Middle Eastern diplomacy. . . . Kuwait, however, remains hesitant due to internal political resistance. While full normalization may not be immediately feasible, the United States should encourage Kuwait to take gradual steps toward engagement, emphasizing how participation in regional cooperation does not equate to abandoning its historical positions.

Kuwait could use its influence to push for peace in the Middle East through diplomatic channels opened by engagement rather than isolation. The economic benefits of joining the broader framework of the Abraham Accords are overwhelming. Israel’s leadership in technology, agriculture, and water management presents valuable opportunities for Kuwait to enhance its infrastructure. Trade and investment flows would diversify the economy, providing new markets and business partnerships.

Kuwaiti youth, who are increasingly looking for opportunities beyond the public sector, could benefit from collaboration with advanced industries, fostering job creation and entrepreneurial growth. The UAE and Bahrain have already demonstrated how normalization with Israel can drive economic expansion while maintaining their respective geopolitical identities.

Read more at Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

More about: Abraham Accords, Kuwait