South African Cricket Team Revokes Captain Duties from Jewish Player Over ‘Security’ Concerns

Isaac SchorrJan 12th, 2024, 8:01 am
 

(AP Photo/Patrick Post)

The team representing South Africa in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup — which is being hosted by South Africa — has responded to controversy over the pro-Israel sentiments of one Jewish player by stripping him of his captain duties.

“As is the case with all such events, CSA [Cricket South Africa] has been receiving regular security and risk updates regarding the World Cup. We have been advised that protests related to the war in Gaza can be anticipated at the venues for the tournament,” announced the host organization in a statement. “We have also been advised that they are likely to focus on the position of the SA Under-19 captain, David Teeger, and that there is a risk that they could result in conflict or even violence, including between rival groups of protestors.”

It continued:

CSA has a primary duty to safeguard the interests and safety of all those involved in the World Cup and must accordingly respect the expert advice of those responsible for the safety of participants and spectators.

In all the circumstances, CSA has decided that David should be relieved of the captaincy for the tournament. This is in the best interests of all the players, the SA U19 team and David himself.

David will remain an important and active member of the squad and we wish him and the team every success in the tournament. The newly appointed captain will be announced in due course.

While being recognized at the Jewish Achiever Awards shortly after the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel, Teeger acknowledged the efforts of Israeli soldiers in defense of their country.

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

The comments drew the ire of anti-Israel activists and resulted in a hate speech investigation into him by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee.

Notably, South Africa is presently prosecuting a genocide case against the world’s only Jewish-majority state of genocide at the International Court of Justice.

Detractors of the CSA’s decision to punish Teeger for the threats being made against him was reacted angrily online.

The U-19 Cricket World Cup is set to begin on January 19.

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