Cape Town — Chief Rabbi of South Africa, Warren Goldstein, has praised US President Donald Trump’s sanctions against South Africa and encouraged South Africans to get behind Trump’s interventions in South African affairs.
Goldstein posted a lengthy video to his X account where he thanked Trump and Elon Musk for “caring about South Africa”. He revealed that he returned from a trip to Israel, where he met with Israeli officials and presented a document outlining the reasons for Israel to re-engage with South Africa.
He said Israel should remain engaged with South Africa’s people, despite South Africa prosecuting the war in the Middle East. He claimed that the majority of South Africans are Christians who do not support South Africa’s anti-Israel stance, and therefore are natural allies of Israel.
He said the ANC’s loss of support and Trump’s administration has meant the balance of power has shifted in favour of Israel having a strong relationship with South Africa.
“The Trump administration has transformed global politics. Regarding South Africa, President Trump’s recent executive order has made three critical points,” he said.
In the first point, he questioned President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to reinvigorate its relations with Iran, a country he labelled a “violent dictatorship”, instead saying South Africa should re-align with Israel instead.
“By contrast, Israel can and should be a key economic and security ally for South Africa, helping the entire Southern African region defeat the Jihadi forces which continue to maim, kill and terrorize people from Mozambique and across the continent. How can it be in South Africa’s national interests to ally with Iran whilst prosecuting Israel at the ICJ?” he said.
Dear President Trump and Elon Musk
Thank you for caring about South Africa.@POTUS @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/xHKhnJcaIa— Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein (@ChiefRabbiSA) February 16, 2025
In his second point, he said Ramaphosa is acting against national interests, highlighting the new Expropriation Act. He said the dilution of property rights would increase the suffering of millions of poor South Africans, saying no property rights would mean no more investment, economic growth and jobs.
“What the Trump administration is pointing out is actually in South Africa’s national interest. Because without economic growth, millions of South Africans are condemned to a life of poverty and suffering,” he said.
In the third point, Trump said South Africa would not be a successful country if it continues to discriminate against people based on race.
“But by focusing on race the SA government taxes investor capital on arrival and drives out many of the country’s most skilled people,” he said.
Goldstein said Trump’s executive order is directing South Africa’s own interests, and claimed that no other European nation did that for South Africa. He said the attention South Africa is now receiving due to Trump’s decision is a blessing as it would be far worse if the US rather ignored South Africa.
He praised Elon Musk and Donald Trump for their successes and believes South Africa should follow in their footsteps, citing Musk’s South African roots and said if South Africa continues to pursue policies that exacerbate poverty and unemployment, he is in breach of the constitution which says to “advance the Republic.”
“The Trump administration’s interventions present a historic opportunity to create a better life for all South Africans,” he concluded.
Full transcript
South Africans should welcome the Trump administration’s interventions in our country’s affairs. Here’s why I say that:
I’ve just returned from a trip to Israel where I met with senior government officials from the Israeli Foreign Ministry. And I presented a…— Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein (@ChiefRabbiSA) February 16, 2025
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
