SWC Denounces Removal of Jewish Captain of South Africa’s National Cricket Team Over Pro-Israel Statements

January 12, 2024

The Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) is denouncing Cricket South Africa (CSA) that has stripped Jewish cricketer David Teeger of his captaincy a week before the Under-19 Cricket World Cup, because of his comments supporting Israel after Hamas terrorists massacred 1,200 Israelis and raped and kidnapped hundreds of others on October 7^th, 2023.

 

Teeger, was honored as the Rising Star at the ABSA Jewish Achiever Awards. He dedicated the award to Jewish soldiers in Israel during an acceptance speech shortly after the massacres.

 

In its statement about Teeger’s expulsion, the CSA asserted, “As is the case with all such events, CSA has been receiving regular security and risk updates regarding the World Cup. We have been advised that protests related to the war in Gaza can be anticipated at the venues for the tournament," adding, "We have also been advised that they are likely to focus on the position of the SA Under-19 captain, David Teeger, and that there is a risk that they could result in conflict or even violence, including between rival groups of protestors.”

 

This isn’t the democracy that Nelson Mandela and a generation of freedom fighters struggled to create,” stated Rabbi Abraham Cooper, SWC Associate Dean and Global Social Action Director.

 

“Young David Teeger is a hero among cowards,” Cooper added. “He is being punished for trying to get the world to focus on innocent Jews murdered, raped, and kidnapped by terrorist Hamas. His words directly contradict the South African government’s position which totally supports Hamas. The government has even brough charges against Israel at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, alleging Israel, not Hamas is guilty of genocide."

 

For further information, please email Michele Alkin, Director of Global Communications at malkin@wiesenthal.com or Shawn Rodgers at srodgers@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed.

 

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).