South Africa’s Chief Rabbi Condemns Government’s Backing of Iran Amid Rising Mideast Tensions

In a powerful rebuke, South African Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein has denounced his country's government for backing Iran and ignoring the escalating threats against Israel. His message, delivered in a video posted Monday, struck at the heart of what many in the Jewish community see as a dangerous and biased foreign policy.

“It’s disgraceful … but, not unexpected, that the South African government came to Iran’s defense,” Goldstein stated, referring to Pretoria’s dismissal of Iran as a threat and its subsequent condemnation of Israel’s military operations. “Iran fights back by launching missiles at Israel’s civilian centers, condemnation for which is, as expected, muted in the international media and community of nations.”

The rabbi’s remarks came as Israel completed a series of precision strikes against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and military leadership. According to Israeli officials, the strikes disrupted Tehran’s nuclear ambitions just in time neutralizing top military commanders, scientists, and missile stockpiles that posed an imminent existential threat.

The timing of the Israeli operation was no coincidence. As Rabbi Goldstein noted, the action came 62 days into a 60-day deadline given by U.S. President Donald Trump for Iran to negotiate a new nuclear deal. Tehran’s refusal left Israel with little choice but to act. “Israel’s strike on Iran was a 1-minute-to-midnight action to head off the annihilation of the Jewish state, and prevent another Holocaust,” Goldstein said.

Despite this, South Africa’s government offered condolences to Iran’s regime, criticizing Israel for violating “sovereignty” and “international law.” This stance, Rabbi Goldstein argued, fails to acknowledge Iran’s longstanding hostility and repeated threats to destroy Israel. “For Israel this war against Iran is a fight for survival,” he declared.

Goldstein further warned that if Iran had succeeded in testing a nuclear bomb, it would have shifted the global power balance and made any future defensive action nearly impossible. His message was not only a defense of Israel’s actions, but also a call for moral clarity: “Everyone knows that Iran must be disarmed, but none has Israel’s courage to do what must be done.”

While South Africa continues to attack Israel diplomatically including its controversial genocide case at the International Court of Justice the Jewish community in the country is making its voice heard. The rabbi’s statement shines a spotlight on a growing global double standard and the dangerous implications of appeasing a radical regime.

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