Cricket South Africa (CSA) has mentioned it has dropped David Teeger as captain of its Beneath-19 facet due to safety considerations following feedback he made concerning the ongoing battle in Gaza.
However Jewish leaders have referred to as the transfer an “outrageous act of antisemitism”.
Teeger, who’s Jewish, got here underneath criticism after being quoted final October as praising Israeli troopers.
CSA mentioned it was frightened about protests and violence in the course of the upcoming U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.
It mentioned Teeger’s elimination as captain was within the “greatest pursuits” of all events.
“We now have… been suggested that [protests] are more likely to give attention to the place of the Beneath-19 captain David Teeger and that there’s a danger that they might lead to battle and even violence, together with between rival teams of protestors,” learn an announcement from CSA.
It mentioned it was appearing on “skilled recommendation”.
Teeger, 19, is about to stay a member of the South African Beneath-19 World Cup squad and a brand new captain is but to be introduced.
However the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) criticised the transfer as “shameful”.
“There is no such thing as a foundation for this resolution, aside from the truth that Teeger is Jewish,” learn an announcement issued by SAJBD nationwide chairperson Karen Milner.
“This isn’t the primary time that Jews have been excluded from sporting our bodies in our historical past. The SAJBD will do every part in its energy to battle towards this vicious prejudice.”
Teeger had beforehand been cleared of any wrongdoing by CSA, following an inquiry into whether or not he had violated its code of conduct.
Following Teeger’s preliminary feedback in October, the Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) lodged a grievance with CSA stating that Teeger’s views have been a “provocative and inflammatory political assertion”.
CSA subsequently appointed advocate Wim Trengove to find out whether or not Teeger had violated its code of conduct. The inquiry cleared Teeger of any wrongdoing.
“The Constitutional Court docket has made the purpose that the precise to freedom of expression doesn’t shield hate speech, however emphasised that the expression of unpopular and even offensive beliefs doesn’t represent hate speech,” Trengove wrote.
Trengove added that whereas Teeger’s feedback might have been offensive to some, his views are shared by others inside the nation and didn’t violate South African legislation nor the CSA code of conduct.
Relations between South Africa and Israel have been severely strained over latest months following the beginning of the struggle in Gaza.
Israel says it’s attempting to get rid of Hamas, which launched an assault on Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,300 folks and taking some 240 others again to Gaza as hostages.
The Hamas-run well being ministry in Gaza says greater than 23,350 folks – principally girls and youngsters – have been killed by Israel within the struggle.
South Africa has filed a case on the Worldwide Court docket of Justice (ICJ) alleging that Israel is participating in “genocidal acts” within the battle.
Israel has responded by stating that South Africa has offered “a sweeping counter-factual description” of occasions to the ICJ.
The Beneath-19 World Cup in South Africa runs from 19 January to 11 February, when the ultimate can be performed at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.