Chief Rabbi of South Africa to Israel: Omicron Panic was Overblown, Let Our Citizens Back In

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Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein

ISRAEL (VINnews) — Rabbi Warren Goldstein, Chief Rabbi of South Africa, wrote a sharply-worded letter to Israeli President Yitzhcak Herzog on Wednesday, saying that contrary to media reports, the Omicron strain is much less dangerous than previous strains, and South African Jews should be allowed to enter Israel.

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The Rabbi said that other countries such as Hong Kong and even European countries had the strain at the same time as South Africa. It was only due to the “excellent doctors” in South Africa that the variant was first discovered there, apparently making the point that his country was unfairly penalized because they were so advanced.

Rabbi Goldstein said the prevention of travel and tourism to South Africa has been devastating. He quoted Professor Dror Mevorach, director of the Coronavirus department at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem, who confirmed that Omricon has caused dramatically fewer hospitalizations.

The Rabbi presented graphs and charts to prove that “a month after the initial diagnosis of the variant, the wave in South Africa is in rapid decline with a very low hospitalization rate relative to previous variants.”

Rabbi Goldstein conceded that it’s highly contagious, however he pointed out the positive as well. “We have to admit,” he emphasized, “this time there are many more infected around us. Even those who were already infected before. But mostly with very mild symptoms, and thank G-d – very few hospitalizations. The Jewish community here, in the previous wave around July, had multiple funerals, including young people. Multiple and complex hospitalizations. This time that is not the case.”

The Rabbi said that “contrary to the impression created by the media”, there are currently very few restrictions in his country. “Everyone celebrates the holidays here. Restaurants are busy. Beaches are full. The malls have no free space.”

He pointed to the fact that the South African government dramatically decreased its quarantine rules. “This courageous approach,” he writes, “illustrated the understanding that though the spread of the virus is widespread, its effect is negligible compared to the burden that quarantining places on the mental and economic situation in the country.”

At the end of his letter, Rabbi Goldstein strongly urged President Herzog to allow Jewish citizens from South Africa to visit. He said that “there is a great sense of despair and rejection by Israel toward South African Jewry, as they keep getting the door slammed in their faces, which has led to a crisis of confidence.”

He requested that Israel allow South Africans to be allowed in with the same rules as Israelis, as long as they follow the proper restrictions in accordance with medical authorities.

At one point, Rabbi Goldstein was quoted by Israeli media as saying closing the borders was a “moral disgrace,” and Israel was essentially saying, “You are not part of us; we are not part of you.”


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5 Comments
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Aguttenshabbos
Aguttenshabbos
2 years ago

Does South Africa have more restrictions, with regards to being allowed into Israel, than the US and other countries, or is it the same?? We in the USA or anywhere in the world for that matter should have the same complaint. Absolutely ridiculous!!!

Last edited 2 years ago by Aguttenshabbos
Brainiac
Brainiac
2 years ago

The big guns are out. Chi

Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago

It’s too bad that he and others don’t realize how right he is: the Zionist State of Israel is certainly NOT a part of us and we are, of course, NOT a part of it.