BDS to ‘exercise closer supervision over social media pages’

A vocal local group critical of Israel on Monday said it would “commit” itself “to be far more judicious on social media”. 

“BDS South Africa apologises for reposting an article from the Israeli newspaper Haaretz relating to a fugitive Israeli rabbi‚ Eliezer Berland‚ arrested in South Africa for alleged sex crimes‚” the group said.

“The article is entirely irrelevant to our work‚ and while not intended as such‚ opens us to accusations of anti-semitism.”

BDS — Boycott‚ Divestment and Sanctions against Israel – has locally called for a consumer boycott of Woolworths for stocking Israeli products as well as protests outside Pharrell Williams concerts sponsored by the retailer last year.

“We undertake to exercise closer supervision over those who have responsibility for official posts on our social media pages including Facebook.

“We re-commit ourselves to be far more judicious on social media and reiterate our opposition to all forms of racism‚ including anti-semitism.”

Rabbi Berland has been on the lam for four years‚ and is wanted on an Interpol warrant after female followers of his sect accused him of rape and sexual harassment.

Haaretz reported in January that “South African Police Service officers‚ acting on a request from Interpol...raided a hotel in Samrand‚ north of Johannesburg‚ Berland has been staying on and off for five months with a number of his disciples”.

“In South Africa he has been staying at hotels and golf estates. He is followed by about 40 families‚ to whom he is a spiritual guru‚” the newspaper reported.