New bill weaponizes apartheid rhetoric to criminalize Jews, shield Iran’s proxies, and silence pro-Israel voices.
South Africa now faces one of the most dangerous pieces of legislation in its democratic history: the so-called Apartheid Bill, introduced by Imraan Ismail-Moosa of the Islamic Al Jama-ah Party. Disguised as “justice,” the Bill imports the 1973 UN Apartheid Convention—long exploited by anti-Israel activists—and transforms it into a legal weapon designed to punish Jews, Zionists, and anyone who engages with the State of Israel.
Although South Africa already recognizes apartheid as an international crime under the Rome Statute Act, this Bill goes much further. It creates a standalone legal instrument with sweeping, vague, and highly politicized definitions, tailor-made to single out Israel. Its authors cannibalize the discredited rhetoric of Durban I—an event infamous for open antisemitism—and attempt to enshrine those extremist narratives into South African law.
A Bill Built to Criminalize Jewish Life
Under the Bill, the most routine, harmless activities of Jewish and pro-Israel South Africans suddenly become potential crimes. Attending a Zionist youth programme, donating to an Israeli hospital, studying or volunteering in Israel, expressing pro-Israel views online, or using Israeli-developed software could all be interpreted as “supporting an apartheid state.” In other words: normal Jewish life becomes criminal suspicion.
Worse still, the Bill asserts extraterritorial jurisdiction, meaning South Africa could prosecute individuals for actions committed abroad—even in Israel itself. Any South African, any resident, and any visitor stepping into the country could face arrest based on purely political allegations.
This is legislated intimidation, a deliberate attempt to suppress Jewish identity, criminalize Zionism, and bully Israel’s supporters into silence.
A Direct Assault on Freedom and the Jewish Community
The Bill’s ideological framing is unmistakable. Zionism is treated as incriminating evidence, Jewish communal activities as possible conspiracies, and even benign support for Israeli charities becomes suspect. This is not justice; this is state-mandated antisemitism wearing legal robes.
Such legislation will trigger global outrage. The civilized world will not tolerate the targeting of Jews under the guise of “international law.” Sanctions, diplomatic backlash, and international condemnation are inevitable. The United States has already warned South Africa of the consequences, and President Trump has signaled that Washington has no patience for governments acting as Iranian puppets.
The Tail Wagging the South African Dog
South Africa’s Muslim population represents just 2% of the nation, yet their ideological influence over the ANC leadership has grown wildly disproportionate. The ANC’s historic ties with the PLO and later with Iran have warped South Africa’s foreign policy into an anti-Israel crusade, far removed from the interests or values of the country’s majority Christian population.
Iran bailed out the ANC financially. Now the ANC repays that favor by acting as Tehran’s surrogate, turning South Africa into a geopolitical pawn.
The ANC Is Playing with Fire
With national support collapsing below 30%, the ANC clings to extremist alliances instead of addressing national collapse, corruption, unemployment, and crime. Rather than strengthening democracy, it embraces Orwellian thought-policing, weaponizing the law against law-abiding Jewish citizens.
If this legislation becomes law, many Jews will leave. They will not live under ideological persecution masquerading as “justice.” The departure of the Jewish community—long contributors to South Africa’s economy, law, medicine, academia, and its struggle against real apartheid—would accelerate South Africa’s decline into a failed state.
A Warning from Scripture and History
The biblical warning is clear: “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.” South Africa should tread carefully. Nations that attack the Jewish people do not prosper. Those who stand with Israel are blessed.
A Personal Declaration
I am a Jew. I am a Zionist. I will not be frightened into silence by Imraan Ismail-Moosa, by the ANC, or by any Iranian proxy masquerading as a political party. Zionism is the Jewish liberation movement—the same principle the ANC once celebrated for itself. What is legitimate for them is legitimate for us.
I was born in South Africa. I have served it, contributed to it, and supported its struggles. Jews defended Mandela. Jews fought apartheid. Jews stood for justice. If this Bill becomes law, South Africa will not be “The Beloved Country” any longer. It will be a place where Jews are hunted for thought crimes.
And I will leave—along with thousands of others who refuse to live under intimidation.
The world must reject this dystopian, punitive, antisemitic legislation, and South Africans must speak now before their democracy is hijacked by a radical minority acting in the name of foreign powers and extremist ideology.
