ANC backs councillor in Zionist ‘virus’ row

Cape Casatu leader Tony ehrenreich. March 31 2011 Photo by Michael Walker

Cape Casatu leader Tony ehrenreich. March 31 2011 Photo by Michael Walker

Published Apr 29, 2016

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Cape Town - The ANC has come out in defence of a councillor found guilty of breaching the councillor’s code of conduct by making an alleged anti-Semitic remark on Facebook, saying the DA-led council was trying to stifle free speech.

Not all Jewish people were Zionists, argued ANC leader Tony Ehrenreich.

Ganief Hendricks of Al Jama-ah said sanctioning the PAC’s Anwar Adams for his remark about Zionism, was a “draconian decision”.

The African Muslim Party’s Wasfie Hassiem also said he was against sanctioning Adams.

In August 2014, Adams posted: “To hell with worrying about not being anti-sematic (sic), this evil virus must be eliminated as it cannot be reformed, Zionists (sic) is a virus.”

Those who came out in defence of Adams said at the heart of the matter it was not whether they agreed with Zionism or not, but whether the council had the right to stop people from expressing their views.

“If one is not allowed to speak on matters that have nothing to do with council, we are moving towards a police state,” said Hendricks.

Adams was asked to leave the chamber during the debate and vote.

Defending a recommendation that Adams be suspended for a month with pay, DA chief whip and chairperson of the disciplinary committee, Anthea Serritslev said Adams had made the remark at the height of tensions in Gaza.

He was charged after a complaint from the Jewish Board of Deputies. As a leader, Adams had to be sensitive to all communities and religions, said Serritslev.

In his testimony to the disciplinary committee, Adams said the term “Zionist” was a spelling mistake, and that he did not hate Zionists, rather the ideology of Zionism. Adams apologised for his comment in a letter in the same month as he posted the remark. He was supported by ANC chief whip Xolani Sotashe, who challenged DA members to show their support for Palestine.

Put to the vote, 124 members voted in favour of the recommendation to suspend Adams for a month, while 60 voted against. If MEC of Local Government Anton Bredell accepts the council’s recommendation of sanctioning Adams, he will have 21 days in which to appeal.

Cape Argus

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