Habonim Dror Southern Africa

HDSA is saddened by the news that, as Israel begins its annual Holocaust Remembrance ceremony, a Qassam rocket was fired from Gaza into southern Israel.

Following the rise of terror attacks in the South, the rocket landed in an open area in Sha'ar Hanegev and while thankfully, no one was injured, the effects of this could have been devastating.

HABONIM DROR’S COMMENT ON THE DRAFT REGULATIONS RELATING TO MINIMUM UNIFORM NORMS AND STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE GG 36062; GN 6 of 2013; 8 JANUARY 2013

 
Dear Sir,

We are young and emerging leaders of Habonim Dror Southern Africa - a secular Jewish youth movement. Our priorities include equality and service to humanity. A primary aim of ours is to achieve social justice in communities, through outreach, advocacy, activism and education.

Habonim Dror Southern Africa (HDSA) would like to officially state that there was no offence intended behind the release of our Shorashim poster. However, we do not apologise (nor will we) for the content of the poster, behind which is a well-known and legitimate opinion.

Habonim Dror Southern Africa (HDSA) is appalled by the actions of a group of students at the University of Witwaterstrand on Tuesday 12 March. Members of the Wits student body disrupted a piano recital by Israeli born German musician Mr. Yossi Reshef, some of whom were leading members of the institution's Students' Representative Council (SRC). Reports indicate that they forced their way into the event, blew vuvuzelas, heckled the audience and were at times physically threatening to those present. Should this be true we find this conduct deplorable.

Habonim Dror Southern Africa (HDSA) is distressed by the decision made by private Israeli bus company, Afikim, to begin operating Palestinian-only bus lines from the checkpoints to Gush Dan. This decision entrenches the segregation already inherent in the occupation. We do not accept 'over-crowding' or any other excuse for allocating services and/or rights on an ethnic basis. We fear that in the long run this may lead to a fully segregated transport service. Furthermore it entrenches and normalises the racist mindset currently advanced by many settlers.

From 21st-25th January, bogrim met to discuss, debate on, engage with and revise the movement's ideology.

These two documents, the Chukka (constitution) and the Implementation Booklet are the embodiment of Habonim Dror Southern Africa's ideology and practical engagement.

We hope that you enjoy reading through and engaging with them.

Aleh Ve'Hagshem
(Go Up and Fulfil)

The Va'ad Veida 2013
Roxanne Joseph, Kelly Brook, Geena Bennun, Mark Galante, David Schwartz and Yaron Shiponi

Habonim Dror Southern Africa (HDSA) marks with sadness this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, as we remember the human tragedy of the Holocaust.

HDSA mourns the millions of innocent deaths at the hands of the Nazi Regime, and calls on the world to never forget the atrocities committed against Jews and others just 70 years ago. We remind ourselves of the value of all human life, and of our responsibility to protect the humanity, dignity and equality of every individual, regardless of race, religion, gender and sexual orientation.

Habonim Dror Southern Africa (HDSA) condemns the Israeli government's approval of the construction of some 3426 new settlement units in the E1 area, between East Jerusalem and the settlement bloc of Ma'ale Adumim. HDSA supports a negotiated two-state solution, based on the 1949 Armistice Line with mutually agreed land swaps, which protects the basic rights of both Israelis and Palestinians.

Habonim Dror Southern Africa (HDSA) condemns the online statement released by community member Ivor Blumenthal, early in December 2012. To liken those individuals who do not proclaim themselves to be fully-fledged Zionists to the Jews employed by the SS during World War II is an unfair and unjustified action. Furthermore, to call upon the community to “out” those individuals who do not proclaim themselves to be Zionists so that they are “named and shamed” is to ostracise individuals from their own community.

HDSA mourns the passing of the late Former Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson. Chaskalson lived a life committed to an open democratic society, human rights and to a fair, transparent and accessible justice system. His contributions to South Africa’s transformation and judicial system were formative and invaluable. His passing is a great loss to our country, and we remind ourselves of how important it is that the values for which Chaskalson stood further penetrate our judicial structures.