Protesters in front of the court. (Photo: Cape Town Ulama Board)
The case involving Cape Union Mart and a pro-Palestinian pressure group is being heard in the High Court in Cape Town this week amid allegations of intimidation, defamation and the obstruction of business operations.
The court proceedings began on Monday after Cape Union Mart requested an interdict against activists from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) who have been protesting regularly in front of the company’s stores since 2023.
The activists say the company is complicit in the conflict in Gaza by allegedly supporting organizations linked to the Israeli army. They encouraged consumer boycotts of the brand as part of wider protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Cape Union Mart claims that the protesters prevented customers from entering stores and harassed employees.
Meanwhile, the South African Jewish Council of Delegates (SAJBD) pledged its support to Philip Krawitz, chairman of Cape Union Mart, and the company on Monday.
According to the SAJBD, the case is about a growing trend where individuals and companies are put under pressure because of their views.
“This is not legitimate democratic involvement. It is an attempt to exclude people from the economic and public sphere based on their beliefs,” says the council.
Protesters in front of the court. (Photo: Cape Town Ulama Board)
The council says the case extends beyond one business and reflects concerns within the Jewish community about the targeting of Jewish businesses through defamation, stigmatization and economic pressure.
The SAJBD also condemned the use of anti-Jewish images during the protests, including a swastika sign outside Cape Union Mart stores.
“No one should feel unsafe in their workplace or business because of who they are or what they believe,” the council said.
Daniel Bloch, executive director of the Cape SAJBD, said the lawsuit was aimed at ending “lies and misinformation”, eNCA reported
“The information they’re relying on is inaccurate. It’s basically lies. It’s defamatory of the organization as well as Philip Krawitz,” Bloch said.
He says that the court application is not aimed at banning demonstrations, but at putting an end to what he describes as aggressive actions by protesters.
“If they want to stand outside and shout ‘Free Palestine’, that’s their right. But to accuse someone of genocide, rape and the killing of babies is lies and misinformation.”