How Israel’s attack on Gaza triggered a crisis in Cricket South Africa

David Teeger is a South African batsman of Jewish origin who was removed as captain of the U-19 World Cup team after an uproar against his statements in support of the Israeli army in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Cricket South Africa had named him captain in September, and retained him after an independent adjudicator, appointed by them, had defended Teeger’s rights to freedom of speech post his offensive speech. Subsequent protests, however, made them make a U-turn, as they stripped him of captaincy though retaining him in the team.

What did David Teeger say that triggered protests?

On October 22, in his acceptance speech at the ABSA Jewish Achiever Awards, the then 18-year old Teeger spoke admiringly of the Israeli army.

“I am now the rising star, but the true rising stars are the young soldiers in Israel… And I’d like to dedicate the award to the state of Israel and to every single soldier fighting so that we can live and thrive in the diaspora,” Teeger said.

It was said in the immediate aftermath of over 4000 Palestinians killed by the Israeli army in retribution for Hamas terrorists who attacked on 7 October, killing 1300 Israelis and taking over 200 hostage. Since then, the number of deaths has gone up in the ongoing conflict with Israel reportedly killing 23,350 civilians in Gaza.

What protests erupted over Teeger’s speech?

During a pro-Palestine protest outside the Newlands stadium where India were playing South Africa in a Test on January 3, according to Cricbuzz’s Telford Vice, the slogans included this: “Teeger, how many doctors did your friends kill today?” The Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) lodged a complaint with South Africa’s Olympic Committee calling Teeger’s views “provocative and an inflammatory political statement”.

According to Cricinfo, statements of grievance were also issued by CSA, Lions, the domestic team that Teeger represents. Others joining were four Johannesburg-based cricket clubs, a civil society group and a director of a company that sponsors Lions.

How is the situation at Gaza viewed in South Africa government official circles?

It was South Africa that went to the International Court of Justice alleging Israel was engaged in genocidal acts after its defense forces bombed and invaded Palestine. There is a strong anti-Israel sentiment in South Africa with prevailing belief that Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians since 1948 is apartheid, subjecting them to racial segregation and discrimination. About 50,000 Jews live in South Africa, which is committed to granting religious freedoms to everyone and has seen a bunch of Jews play for South Africa.

Did Teeger say anything after the outrage over his speech?

The publication Businesslive.co.za quotes Teeger as saying his comments were a personal opinion. “Having considered the matter further, I appreciate I may have been naive in thinking that this personal reflection would be received as such. I regret not giving more consideration to whether my impromptu comments would be scrutinised, given my growing prominence in sport, or that these comments may be repeated in the media … It was therefore hurtful to read that my personal reflection on 22 October 2023 of Israel’s response to the Hamas attack has been equated to supporting genocide or condoning hatred based on race, ethnicity or religion.”

He further add: “My personal and honestly held view is that Israel and its soldiers have not committed genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity … On the other hand, I accept that many people and governments, including the South African government, hold an opposing view. Disagreeing in a respectful manner on a contested and emotionally charged matter is a fundamental pillar of our democracy and Constitution. I respect the right of others to disagree with my view on Israel.”

Where did he say this? Was it during an official process initiated by Cricket South Africa (CSA). And what did the process result in?

Yes, it was said in his affidavit to the advocate Wim Trengrove appointed by the CSA to conduct an independent adjudication. Trengrove would defend Teeger’s freedom of speech but noted the comments could be viewed as offensive.

The report didn’t say Teeger had “been cleared of all wrongdoing”, as has been reported in some quarters. It did say he had not violated the code of conduct.

Writing for Cricbuzz after Trengove findings, Telford noted, “If there was a moment for Teeger to rescue the situation by apologising and making clear he knew he represented all South Africans, not only those who agreed with him, and would endeavour to do so better in future, that was it. He hasn’t.” While Teeger has publicly neither expressed regret or apology, CSA went ahead and announced him as captain on December 8, a day after the Trengove report was officially released.

The Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA), South African grassroots organisation, said Teeger’s comments had caused a “significant rift within the cricket community” and that they continue to question whether he is “fit to represent a diverse South African team and more so, whether he has the necessary capacity to lead any such team”. PSA also called for Teeger’s suspension from the U-19 World Cup squad and said there could be protests at the tournament. CSA did not drop him from the squad after the Trengove findings.

Were the subsequent reactions the reason he was stripped of captaincy of South Africa’s U-19 team for the World Cup?

On 12th January, a day after he turned 19, in a press release, the CSA announced that Teeger was “relieved of the captaincy for the tournament” in the “best interests of all the players, the … team and David himself”. It also added: “We have been advised that protests related to the war in Gaza can be anticipated at the venues for the tournament.”

Has the row impacted Teeger’s cricket?

Teeger’s score sequence in the tri-series ahead of the World Cup was 8 (24), 9 (19), 17 (28) and 13 (12). Later, he would score a resolute 38 in a warm up game against Afghanistan. There were concerns that the excessive scrutiny on Teeger’s Israel stand with unavoidable and incessant media questions, could be another headache for the youngster, as well as open him up to further criticism and attacks with his strident views were he to be captain. It could also distract the team from the World Cup campaign.

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