“The whole world chose to come to be part of this momentous occasion. It’s a sad day not just for Israel but for world Jewry, a missed opportunity,”
Zev Krenge, president of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies.
Johannesbu
rg, South Africa – Benjamin Netanyahu has brought same on Israel and the entire Jewish people. The Israeli boycotted Mandela’s funeral .. failing to join leaders from all over the world undermines any credibility the Jewish state has.
The Jewish community of South Africa, long an ally of Mr. Mandela, saw the snub of the Nelson Mandela tribute as missing a “golden opportunity” to improve relations. Zev Krengel, president of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, chided Netanyahu over the “financial hardship” excuse given for his absence, saying that using such an excuse only perpetuates existing stereotypes about Jews being miserly.
Krengel said accepted that Israeli president Peres’ age as a valid excuse for his absence, but refused to give Netanyahu a pass.