Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein

A ceasefire in the Hamas-Israel war is not just misguided, but a dangerous betrayal of justice. The international community’s calls for negotiation ignore the harsh reality of Hamas’ violent extremism and Israel’s right to defend itself. True justice demands not compromise, but the defeat of those who seek to destroy peace and freedom.

The Chief Rabbi argues against the international push for a ceasefire, insisting that it not only legitimizes Hamas' violent actions but also abandons Israel at a critical moment. Instead, global institutions and governments should call for unconditional surrender and the release of all hostages, ensuring that Hamas is held accountable.

Highlights include:

1/ The dangers of treating Hamas and Israel as moral equals, and why the concept of a ceasefire undermines Israel's right to defend itself.

2/ The Chief Rabbi's urgent call for the international community to demand Hamas' unconditional surrender, rejecting any compromises.

3/ A critique of Western nations, including the US and UK, for limiting military support to Israel while pursuing misguided ceasefire negotiations.

4/ A comparison between Hamas’ actions and historical examples of evil that demanded total defeat

5/ A strong warning to the West: failing to support Israel unequivocally in this war could lead to dire consequences for the Western world itself.

Now is the time for religious leaders to be bold - to come to the defence of society, to speak up for Western values and freedoms.

The Chief Rabbi of South Africa critically discusses how Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury have responded—or failed to respond—to threats against Christianity and Western values, particularly in the context of their positions on Israel and the recent ICJ ruling that challenges Israel’s legitimacy.

Highlights include:

1/ The quiet response of Pope Francis and Archbishop Welby to the growing threats of radical ideologies and global unrest.

2/ The Archbishop’s endorsement of the ICJ ruling against Israel and its contradiction with Biblical teachings.

3/ The Chief Rabbi’s critique of religious leadership in the face of modern-day challenges, comparing current leaders with historical figures like Pope John Paul II.

4/ The rising danger to Europe’s values due to the passive stance of its religious leaders, especially regarding Israel’s struggle for security.

5/ A powerful call to action urging Pope Francis and Archbishop Welby to defend Christians, Israel, and Western civilization before it’s too late. 

#ChiefRabbiOfSouthAfrica #PopeFrancis #ArchbishopOfCanterbury #ChurchOfEngland #ICJRuling #IsraelAndBible #MiddleEastConflict #LandOfIsrael #UNAndIsrael

Chief Rabbi of South Africa reacts to Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu, speech to Congress on the Iran threat. The video covers Israeli military strategy, US Congress reaction, and the Iran-Israel conflict.

During his speech to Congress, Netanyahu highlighted the pressing concerns regarding Iran and stressed Israel's imperative to take action. The Chief Rabbi delves into an analysis of Netanyahu's address discussing its impact on military tactics and the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

Highlights include:

1/ The impact of Netanyahu's address on the Iran Israel conflict

2/ Insights from the Chief Rabbi on Israeli military strategy

3/ Reactions from the US Congress and their effect on Israel

4/ Contextual analysis of past Israeli prime minister speeches

A recording of the prayer delivered by Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein at the inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 19 June 2024. Chief Rabbi Goldstein was among four other national religious leaders, representing the country’s major faith communities, delivering prayers at the ceremony. The inauguration followed the national elections held on 29 May 2024, and the National Assembly elections on June14 2024 appointing President Ramaphosa as the head of a new Government of National Unity.

I had been feeling conflicted on how to respond to an invitation from the government of national unity to deliver a prayer at the presidential inauguration today.

On the one hand, as I have said publicly on this platform, a government of national unity, anchored by the two largest parties in South Africa, the ANC and the DA, has the potential to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity.

It represents the best prospects for the success of our country: economic development, political stability, poverty alleviation, and the upliftment of more than 60 million South Africans - among them, of course, our precious Jewish community.

This is especially clear when one considers the alternative that could have been. For the sake of the welfare of all South Africans, it is crucial for our government of national unity to succeed. And therefore we have a moral imperative to support this bold endeavour, and help it do so.

On the other hand, it is a government that includes the same president and party who behaved in such an unforgivable and reprehensible way since October 7, supporting Hamas and Iran against Israel.

And they remain unrepentant. More than that, there are strong indications that the ANC will continue to set the government agenda when it comes to international relations and foreign policy. So that is the conflict.

To support the government of national unity or not? To pray for it at the inauguration or not? To be part of helping it succeed or not? I found clarity from a time in history, when a Jewish leader faced a similar dilemma.

There are moments in the history of nations which are not merely events – they are historic turning points. The announcement of a government of national unity anchored by the two largest parties in South Africa – the ANC and the DA – has the potential to be such a moment.

After 15 years of progress in repairing the ravages of apartheid post-1994, followed by 15 years of corruption and incompetence that have caused untold human suffering – the country is at a pivotal point.

The South African electorate have sent a clear message – that things cannot continue as they have, that we need a new beginning. To their great credit, the country’s political leaders have heard this message, and responded accordingly.

Cynics who claimed that our democracy would not survive an election that dethroned the ruling party were proved wrong. Things did not fall apart. The constitution held. Democracy held. The center holds - and now we have a government of national unity that has within its grasp the power and promise to usher in an era of national renewal and healing.

Now we must help them succeed.

The South African people must come together to support the government of national unity and hold them accountable, to ensure this turns out to be not simply a fleeting moment of hope, but an historic turning point that puts our country on a path of prosperity and peace.

This new world of power-sharing can be the dawn of an era of great prosperity and success and happiness for South Africa – provided our politicians show true, principled leadership.

Post-elections South Africa is a completely different country. For the first time since the advent of democracy, voters have decided not to give one party – the ANC – an absolute majority. The South African people have said that it is enough of one party exercising absolute power. The corruption must end. It’s time to share the power.

The place to begin is for the country’s two biggest parties – the DA and the ANC – to form a government of national unity, with other smaller parties with shared values joining the coalition. Together, the ANC and DA represent over 60% of South Africans, and SRF opinion polls show that the majority of the voters of both parties want this coalition.

But it's more than just the numbers – the ANC and DA also represent the widest diversity of South Africans, across all the so-called barriers of race, culture, language, ethnicity and economic status. And so, if this coalition is established, it will be a true expression of the South African dream of unity in diversity.

The coalition-building process will not be easy. For the partnership to work, the ANC will have to repent for its moral failings, set aside its obsessive anti-Israel politics that cost it many votes and focus wholly on improving the lives of the people of our country.

The suffering and humiliation of unemployment and poverty is a moral affront, and must be addressed with judicious policies that will set us on a path to economic growth. Service delivery must be in the hands of those who are most competent, not those with the best political connections. Above all, the leadership of the ANC and the DA are going to have to exhibit the highest form of leadership.

The Talmud’s vision of leadership is captured by this teaching: "I give you not power, but service." Service is the essence of great leadership. Political power must not be for self-enrichment or party patronage, but for serving the people.

The Talmud also teaches: “Any community dedicated to Heaven will endure, and one which is not dedicated to Heaven will not endure.” This means, for a society to be successful, its leaders must act not out of self-interest, but “for the sake of Heaven”, for a higher cause, for the greater good. If our politicians work together, setting aside self-interest and party interests, acting for the sake of Heaven, it can be a new beginning for South Africa – a chance to build a true rainbow nation, unified in all our diversity.

Through our votes we have spoken.

Now it’s the task of our political leaders to rise to the occasion.

And make history.

May God bless South Africa. Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika.

On the eve of South Africa’s national elections, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein had an in-depth conversation with renowned political analyst, Dr Frans Cronje – whose cutting-edge thinktank, the Social Research Foundation, has been running a daily tracking poll that is the go-to place for much of the country’s election analysis.

Find out everything you need to know about the elections – the different possible and probable outcomes, coalition options, and what we can expect moving forward into the future. Gain a deeper understanding of the country’s current trajectory and future outlook, including the various socio-economic challenges and the political landscape.

It’s not about optimism and pessimism – it’s about gaining the knowledge and insight we need to assess the various issues we’re facing as a country, in an informed way.

The SRF employs real-world analysis and hard data to provide authoritative insights on South Africa that local and international media refer to often.

This episode “What’s next for SA? Dr Frans Cronje on elections 2024 and beyond” is the latest in a series confronting key issues in South Africa, aimed at providing analytical tools and a rational framework for facing the future.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:30 The political system is working

8:58 What do the polls say?

10:31 SA public opinion is moderate, not radicalised

16:17 South Africans by large share the same values

16:46 Rationality over emotion (data vs hope/fear)

21:52 The end of loadshedding

29:03 How polling works

36:06 A new era of coalitions

52:55 State-proofing your life and business

55:50 The potential of private players and communities

58:00 Saying "No" to government

1:07:15 NHI

1:12:47 Advice to the Jewish community

1:15:43 Closing remarks

In expressing commitment to “never again”, Western leaders contradict themselves. The only thing that stands between Jews in Israel and another Holocaust is the immense strength of the IDF.

By seeking to weaken the IDF, those leaders are placing the Jewish people in mortal danger. In their relentless pressure on the IDF, and in withholding the weaponry Israel needs to fight the genocidal forces that pledge its destruction, Western governments are repeating their sins during the Holocaust, when they stood by as six million Jews were murdered by the Nazis.

President Biden halted a shipment of weapons to Israel. This follows his regular sanctions waivers for Iran releasing billions of dollars to that genocidal regime.

Let’s be clear. The war in Gaza is not one of retribution for October 7. It is to prevent the next October 7. And it's part of a regional war with Iran to prevent the next holocaust. Iran and its proxies have made their intentions clear. The only thing that stands between Jews in Israel and another Holocaust is the immense strength of the IDF.

Those that seek to neutralize or weaken the IDF are placing the Jewish people in mortal danger. The days of Yom Hashoah, Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut are bound together in a covenant of blood.

On Yom Hazikaron we remember the sacrifice and bravery of IDF soldiers who have given their lives defending the Jewish people. On Yom Ha’atzmaut, we give thanks to God for the blessing of a sovereign Jewish State.

And together, with God’s help, they ensure we will not have another Yom HaShoah.