Oppose the Misleading and Dangerous Anti-South Africa Bill

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the so-called “Addressing Hostile and Antisemitic Conduct by the Republic of South Africa Act.” This bill is not only grossly misleading—it is deeply dangerous in its attempt to punish a country for defending international law, human rights, and the very principles that the United States claims to uphold. Let us be clear: South Africa’s leadership has not engaged in antisemitic behavior. What it has done is initiate proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to hold the State of Israel accountable for acts that may constitute genocide under international law. South Africa has acted on behalf of humanity, not against Jews. This distinction matters deeply, and deliberately conflating criticism of a government with hatred toward a people is as intellectually dishonest as it is politically reckless. South Africa’s actions are grounded in international law, and its leaders have explicitly and consistently denounced antisemitism. By pursuing justice through lawful, peaceful mechanisms, South Africa is not promoting hate—it is resisting impunity. It is because South Africa knows the horrors of apartheid and state-sanctioned violence that it is leading this effort. That is not hostility—it is moral clarity. This bill, instead of confronting real antisemitism (which is a rising and serious threat), weaponizes the term to shield Israel from legitimate accountability. In doing so, it endangers Jews around the world by conflating Judaism with a government engaged in mass atrocities. It silences survivors, legal scholars, and even many Jewish voices who oppose Israel’s actions. To attempt to sever U.S. diplomatic ties with South Africa—an ally and democracy that has long stood for racial and global justice—is an act of cowardice and imperial overreach. It’s an affront to the millions of people worldwide who see the ICJ case as a litmus test for whether “Never Again” applies to all people or just to some. I urge you to reject this disgraceful bill in its entirety. Stand up for international law, free expression, and the true fight against antisemitism—by opposing efforts to abuse that term for political repression.