Racist and anti-Semitic South Africa: South African national cricket team removes Jewish captain, citing anti-Israel protests against him

The nation’s Under-19 team captain, David Teeger, a rising star in South Africa’s cricket scene, was removed on the eve of the world championship competition. Cricket Ahead of the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, which South Africa is hosting, Israel’s war in Gaza has prompted threats against Teeger, a Jewish player, and the team. We have been informed that demonstrations against the Gaza War are expected at the tournament locations. Additionally, we’ve been informed that they’ll probably concentrate on David Teeger,” the group states in a statement.

Cricket South Africa continues, “CSA has determined that David should not be given the captaincy for the tournament.” “Every player, the SA U19 team, and David himself will benefit from this.” He would continue to be a “significant and active member” of the group, according to the statement. Cricket Teeger had previously been suspended by South Africa while it looked into allegations of hate speech against him after he had shown support for Israeli soldiers in the wake of Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7. Later, it gave him the all-clear to rejoin the squad. The International Court of Justice is hearing charges of genocide against Israel brought by the South African government, which has brought strong anti-Israel sentiment in South Africa to light.

Many activists who support Palestine compare Israel’s treatment of Palestinians to apartheid, a word that originally referred to South Africa’s racist segregation and discrimination system. There are roughly 50,000 Jews in South Africa, and many of them have expressed a desire to leave, citing difficulties such as anti-Semitic and anti-Israel sentiment.