Editorial

Then there is the Gilad Shalit issue (see story on page 4) and the hypocrisy of much of the world towards Israel, which it represents. Shalit is the Israeli soldier captured four years ago by Hamas, who has been held incommunicado ever since, with not even the Red Cross allowed access to him.

Ironically his birthday was on Tuesday - the same day as the celebratory Jewish Achiever function; the SAZF organised a convoy of buses through town to protest his plight, connecting up with local Red Cross representatives.

While the world rages on about alleged Israeli violations of Palestinian human rights, the clear-as-daylight violation of Shalit’s human rights is constantly downplayed.

As we enter the year 5771, the movement to deligitimise Israel and the rising anti-Semitism worldwide, remain the greatest worries.

Fortunately, Israel is doing incredibly well. It is a thriving country, pulsating with energy, an expression of the best in Jewish creativity, able to defend itself with a strong IDF.

On the anti-Semitism issue, Jews are not the defenceless people they once were in Eastern Europe; today, they have resources and allies to combat this scourge, even if they may never totally defeat it.

We move into the new year with challenges, but also strengths. We wish our Jewish readers and advertisers a hearty Shana Tova. May you be inscribed for a blessing in the Book of Life.

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