The Kasrils Affair - Jews And Minority Politics In The New South Africa (Book)


In 2007, Minister Ronnie Kasrils, the highest-ranking Jew in South Africa 's post-apartheid government, launched a campaign against Israeli policy in the occupied territories. In so doing, he ignited a public debate about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that challenged the identity of South African Jews in the new South Africa. Kasrils offered Jews a choice oppose Israel and Zionism, and be welcomed into the post-apartheid order, or else remain stuck in the apartheid past, on the fringes of South Africa 's changing society, ostracised by the African National Congress (ANC) government.Kasrils declaration of conscience marked the first time in recent world history that a prominent Jewish politician outside Israel had attacked the Israeli government and its policies so vehemently and done so, publicly and self-consciously, as a Jew. Though Kasrils failed to win Jewish support, he succeeded in pulling the community into the orbit of the ANC. "The Kasrils Affair: Jews and Minority Politics in the New South Africa" is a contemporary analysis, based largely on published commentary and interviews conducted with the members and staff of the Jewish Board of Deputies. The book also draws heavily on the insights and experiences of the author who, as a speechwriter for Parliament at the time, was personally involved in the debates and discussions surrounding the issue. The book investigates broader patterns of Jewish political behavior prior to the normalization and democratization of South African society and compares the experience of the South African Jewish community in the Kasrils Affair with the recent experiences of Jewish communities in Britain, France and the United States.

R238
List Price R304
Save R66 22%

Or split into 4x interest-free payments of 25% on orders over R50
Learn more

Discovery Miles2380
Delivery AdviceShips in 5 - 10 working days


Toggle WishListAdd to wish list
Review this Item

Product Description

In 2007, Minister Ronnie Kasrils, the highest-ranking Jew in South Africa 's post-apartheid government, launched a campaign against Israeli policy in the occupied territories. In so doing, he ignited a public debate about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that challenged the identity of South African Jews in the new South Africa. Kasrils offered Jews a choice oppose Israel and Zionism, and be welcomed into the post-apartheid order, or else remain stuck in the apartheid past, on the fringes of South Africa 's changing society, ostracised by the African National Congress (ANC) government.Kasrils declaration of conscience marked the first time in recent world history that a prominent Jewish politician outside Israel had attacked the Israeli government and its policies so vehemently and done so, publicly and self-consciously, as a Jew. Though Kasrils failed to win Jewish support, he succeeded in pulling the community into the orbit of the ANC. "The Kasrils Affair: Jews and Minority Politics in the New South Africa" is a contemporary analysis, based largely on published commentary and interviews conducted with the members and staff of the Jewish Board of Deputies. The book also draws heavily on the insights and experiences of the author who, as a speechwriter for Parliament at the time, was personally involved in the debates and discussions surrounding the issue. The book investigates broader patterns of Jewish political behavior prior to the normalization and democratization of South African society and compares the experience of the South African Jewish community in the Kasrils Affair with the recent experiences of Jewish communities in Britain, France and the United States.

Customer Reviews

No reviews or ratings yet - be the first to create one!

Product Details

General

Imprint

University of Cape Town Press

Country of origin

South Africa

Release date

October 2008

Availability

Expected to ship within 5 - 10 working days

First published

September 2009

Authors

Dimensions

210 x 148 x 15mm (L x W x T)

Format

Book

Pages

192

ISBN-13

978-1-919895-07-9

Barcode

9781919895079

Categories

LSN

1-919895-07-8



Trending On Loot