Johannesburg – The South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) has acknowledged the “profound gravity and moral complexity” of the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
“Endorsed by Israel’s cabinet and security establishment – including the IDF, Mossad, and Shabak – this deal demonstrates Israeli’s extraordinary commitment to bring her people home,” South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) spokesperson Rolene Marks.
“‘Yet, it remains a painful compromise, one that shows both Israel’s strength and its deep moral character in the face of unconscionable evil.
“Israel’s tireless efforts to secure the release of 33 hostages in the first phase of the deal – children, women, elderly men over 50, female soldiers, and the sick and wounded (of which over 20 are believed to be alive) reflects the Jewish principle of life as the highest value.”
However, Marks said the plight of the 65 hostages who remain in captivity – victims of Hamas’s barbaric attack and ongoing cruelty – casts a shadow over this moment of relief.
“Their continued suffering at the hands of terrorists who showed no humanity in their brutal assault on October 7th is an unbearable moral burden that Israel cannot, and will not, accept,” said Marks.
“This agreement represents one of the most agonising decisions Israel has faced in recent memory.
“Yet it shows the strength of Israeli society – united in its determination to bring our people home, whatever the cost.”
“While the return of our loved ones brings profound relief, the knowledge that so many remain in the hands of these murderous terrorists weighs heavily on every Israeli heart. Israel stands as one in declaring: she will not rest until every last captive is brought home.”
Mark said that guided by the highest principle in Jewish tradition – the sanctity of human life – this decision echoes the ancient teaching: “Whoever saves a life, saves an entire world” (Sanhedrin 37a).
Ironically, more than 45 000 Palestinians – mostly women and children – have been killed in retaliatory attacks by the Israeli Defence Force and twice as many injured in the relentless bombings.
South Africa has accused Israel of genocide in a matter before the International Court of Justice.
After 15 months of death and destruction, Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza is due to come to an end on Sunday, (19 January 2025).
The ceasefire will be implemented in three phases.
Phase 1 covers six weeks: Israeli bombing will stop and Israeli occupation forces will withdraw from the main towns and cities.
Thirty Israeli hostages will be released and 93 Palestinian prisoners/hostages will be returned home.
The next two phases will extend the ceasefire and see the removal of all Israeli occupation forces from Gaza – and start the reconstruction of the strip.
Just hours after Hamas and Israel announced they had reached a ceasefire agreement, Aljazeera reported that Israeli forces killed at least 82 people in Gaza.
The death toll – counted from dawn on Wednesday, (15 January 2025) – was likely to rise as displaced Palestinians returned to their tents after briefly celebrating news of a ceasefire deal reached between Israel and Hamas.
However, a SAZF statement released on Friday, (17 January 2025), said there can be no moral equivalence between innocent hostages and terrorists.
“The release of Palestinian terrorists, convicted of heinous crimes against innocent Israeli civilians, is a bitter pill to swallow,” Mark said.
“There can be no moral equivalence between innocent hostages – taken from their homes, schools, and streets simply for being Jewish – and terrorists who deliberately targeted men, women, and children with cold-blooded intent.
“The fact that Israel is willing to make such difficult concessions demonstrates not weakness, but the profound strength of a society that stands together in protecting its own.
“But let there be no doubt – this is a temporary measure. Hamas’s barbaric actions on October 7th and their continued holding of innocent hostages reveal their true nature as a terrorist organisation devoid of any humanity.
“Israel will continue to defend its people with steadfast resolve.”
