CSA’s board will this weekend discuss SA U19 captain David Teeger’s comments in which he dedicated an award to Israel’s young soldiers.
After receiving the Rising Star of the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards last month, Teeger said, “Yes, I’ve been [given] this award, and yes, I’m now the Rising Star, but the true rising stars are the young soldiers in Israel.”
Israel is currently fighting a war against Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, following its terrorist attack on 7 October.
CSA board chairman Lawson Naidoo confirmed to News24 that Teeger’s comments would be discussed at the board meeting, but did not elaborate.
Meanwhile, the SA Jewish Board of Deputies told News24 that Teeger was entitled to his opinion.
“There was nothing inflammatory about Teeger’s comments,” said national director Wendy Kahn.
“They were of a personal nature, expressing his deeply held support for the Jewish state and mentioning family and friends in Israel who have been impacted by Hamas’s terror attack.
“Every other South African is permitted to express their views on international issues, especially when people who are close to them are among the victims.
“It appears, however, that there are separate rules for Jews as, apparently, the constitutional tenants of freedom of speech are not applicable to Teeger.”
