South Africa’s Chief Rabbi, Dr. Warren Goldstein, has launched a Counter-Terror Task Force to enhance the security of Jewish communities in the region. This initiative follows a recent bomb attack at the Samson Community Center in Cape Town, which failed to detonate. The center hosts numerous Jewish organizations, emphasizing its symbolic importance.
The task force aims to protect synagogues, schools, and other community hubs. Rabbi Goldstein highlighted the increasing threats posed by Iran’s state-sponsored terror and the rise of jihadi groups across Africa, including al-Shabab, Boko Haram, and ISIS. He emphasized the task force’s dual focus: safeguarding South Africa’s Jewish community while contributing to global security measures.
Task Force Composition
The Counter-Terror Task Force includes prominent global security experts:
- Admiral Mike Hewitt, former deputy director for Global Operations for the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- Dean Haydon, former senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism in the UK.
- Major General David Tsur, former commander of the Israeli Police Counter-Terrorism Unit.
- Andre Pienaar, co-founder of South Africa’s Directorate of Special Operations.
This team will evaluate threats and recommend measures to secure vulnerable locations. Goldstein noted the group would mobilize additional resources as necessary.
Goldstein pointed to the widespread suffering of Christians in Africa due to jihadi violence, stating that thousands are murdered annually for their faith. This underscores the broader need for counter-terrorism initiatives across the continent.
He also addressed the South African government’s stance on Israel, accusing it of fostering stigmatization through international accusations of genocide. However, he emphasized that public sentiment in South Africa is generally moderate regarding Israel, with relatively low levels of antisemitism compared to Western nations.
Professor Karen Milner of the Jewish Board of Deputies reported 128 antisemitic incidents in South Africa in 2024, a decline from the previous year but still the second-highest on record since 1998. Most incidents involved verbal assaults or hate mail, with few escalating to physical violence. Milner reaffirmed that South Africa remains a comparatively safe environment for Jewish communities.
The Counter-Terror Task Force represents a proactive step in addressing growing security challenges, offering both immediate and global solutions to threats faced by Jewish and Christian communities.
