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Its reaction makes s widespread international support for Israel, it’s regrettable that it has done so based peace in the Middle East, and just wants to bash it less of a player when it comes to bringing the recent deal to normalise diplomatic on yet another agreement related to the fate Israel.” these sides together,” he said. Aties between the United Arab Emirates of the Palestinian people without engaging the Commentator Daniel Silke said the “When you have key Gulf countries beginning (UAE) and Israel continues to grow, the South people of Palestine,” it’s statement read. government had echoed the official Palestinian a closer dialogue with Jerusalem, this calls into African government has slammed the deal Criticising the agreement, it said it didn’t response, and publicly wanted to maintain as question South Africa’s foreign policy. It doesn’t calling it “regrettable”. commit Israel to halting plans for further much pressure as possible on Israel to advance do itself any favours by seemingly being on The UAE last week became the first Gulf Arab extension of Israeli sovereignty over Palestinian the Palestinian cause. the outside on this issue. I believe South Africa country to reach a deal on normalising relations territories and people. He said he believed the UAE would would have been better off welcoming the shift with Israel. The so-called “Abraham Accord”, Meanwhile, further normalisation deals are be disappointed with the South African towards better relations, but also indicating that announced by United States President Donald likely to emerge over coming months between government’s response. it hopes the quest for Palestinian independence Trump on Thursday, 13 August, secures an Israel and other Arab and Muslim states. “South Africa has had close links with the will continue unabated,” he said. Israeli commitment to halt further annexation of Sudan is rumoured to be seeking a peace UAE, and needs a good relationship with it so Steven Gruzd, an analyst at the South Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank. agreement with Israel, confirming speculation that it can expedite any extradition issues with African Institute of International Affairs, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that more Arab states will follow the UAE in whoever might still be wanted in connection that given the government’s staunch support said he agreed to “delay” the annexation as part normalising ties. with state capture – those who are flitting of the Palestinians over the years, this week’s of the deal with the UAE, but the plans remain The vice-president of the South African around Dubai.” statement wasn’t surprising. “on the table”. Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD), Zev Krengel, Rather than acknowledging a shift towards “Instead of lauding the coming together The UAE is the third Arab nation to reach such told the SA Jewish Report he was surprised a more peaceful environment in the Middle of two key states in the Middle East in a a deal with Israel, after Jordan and Egypt. by the government’s response. East, South Africa was keeping the Palestinian peaceful way, DIRCO pours cold water on this The historic agreement has been met with “This is an earth-shattering moment in the issue on the front burner, which didn’t help its breakthrough. It’s sticking to its guns on a loud applause by many nations including the Middle East, and the South Africa government relations with the UAE, Silke said. Palestinian state with 1967 borders, which United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Spain, as can’t see it. It’s so embedded in its narrow- “By regarding the Palestinian cause for almost no-one sees as practical. It also shows well as Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, and Oman, and minded view on how it thinks the Israeli-Arab nationhood as a paramount foreign policy that the UAE’s own interests have overridden has been welcomed by the European Union and conflict should be handled. It’s very sad. I’m priority, this agreement put South Africa on the solidarity. South Africa has been trying to United Nations. downgrade bilateral relations, the UN Secretary General António opposite of this agreement. South Guterres said he hoped the Back in the ring Africa is consistent, even if many normalisation of ties between disagree with its stance.” Israel and the UAE would help to While South Africa is “defending realise a two-state solution with the its pals”, Gruzd doesn’t see this as Palestinians and create an opportunity helping the Palestinians at all. for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to The SAJBD said DIRCO’s criticism re-engage in meaningful negotiations. was “unfortunate”, calling it a “knee- South Africa’s largest BRICS (Brazil, Ilan Ossendryver Photo: jerk, one dimensional” view on foreign Russia, India, China, and South Africa) policy. partners, namely India and China, “South Africa has chosen to have also welcomed the deal. place itself on the wrong side of Meanwhile Palestinian President developments in that part of the world,” Mahmoud Abbas denounced the it said in a statement this week. accord, as did Hamas, which rejected “By rejecting rather than welcoming the US-brokered deal. Turkey and Iran a promising agreement that advances also decried the accord. peace between Israel and its South Africa, remaining loyal to neighbours, the government is again its international friends, has heavily missing an historic opportunity to criticised the agreement. play a constructive role in the pursuit The Department of International of peace in the greater Middle East Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), region.” said it noted the developments with Rowan Polovin, the national “concern”, describing the deal as chairperson of the South African “regrettable” on the grounds that Zionist Federation, said improved the Palestinian people hadn’t been Ashley Chiwa sanitises the equipment at BoxFit on Northfield Avenue, Glenhazel, in preparation for diplomatic and economic relations the gym’s reopening. “engaged”. Continued on page 6>> In the event of an active fire, call the emergency line: A proud initiative FIRE CONTAINMENT UNIT 086 18 000 18 of ZAKA SA 2 SA JEWISH REPORT 21 – 28 August 2020 Appliance Repairs on Site Dissecting human behaviour, from sanitising to Shabbat ers, ash STEVEN GRUZD Rituals are also important. Te ritual of ishw D Stoves washing hands is a focusing activity, done on s, ines, ge ach “In a big crisis, the world turns to social science,” waking up and before eating bread. Actions id g M Fr hin said Dan Ariely, the renowned Israeli-American mould thoughts, focus attention, and increase as & more Dryers professor of psychology and behavioural joy. “Tey create kavanah (intention). We think, W ble um Call Jason economics at Duke University. “We have asked anticipate, and pay attention,” Goldstein said. T 082 401 8239 / 076 210 6532 young people to take a hit in order to save the Goldstein has had many conversations with FREE QUOTATIONS older generation. Masks are worn for other Ariely about the Shabbat Project – his initiative people as well as ourselves. It’s very delicate that encourages Jews worldwide to keep – you need real societal cohesiveness for this Shabbat. Tey agreed from the get-go that there Domestic air travel is now permitted to work. Health is a public good, but if just should be no half-measures; it would need to from Monday 17th August and your 5% misbehave, everyone loses. A very small be “an immersive experience, a full submission” reliable and friendly airport shuttle minority can spoil it for all of us.” for people to derive the value and gravity of is back in business. Contact Gerald Ariely was in conversation with South Africa’s Shabbat. “What seem like restrictions allow for all your lifts to and from Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein via Zoom liberation and freedom,” Goldstein said. on Sunday. Ariely has been advising the Israeli “Shabbat helps you let down your mental OR Tambo and government since March. “Tey asked me a load,” Ariely said. He explained the notion Lanseria airports. simple question: How can they give instructions of “depletion”, where we get physically and to people in a way that they are likely to follow?” Dan Ariely mentally tired, and it’s harder to make decisions, 0829075507 or email He has helped tailor messaging on good health and harder to exert self-control. “Tat’s why [email protected] practices to the Haredi (religious) community, How do we create and maintain generosity?” people eat junk food at night.” among other Goldstein asserted that human nature is In reflecting on lockdown and the grand interventions. a combination of selfishness and altruism, global experience that is COVID-19, Ariely “Te incentives incentives, and generosity of spirit. He said that noted that some of his habits have changed, for good behaviour our initial definition of “I” is very narrow.