David Teeger is a South African cricketer who plays age-group cricket representing the South Africa national Under-19 cricket team. Image via X/ @AardvarkBloody.
SA Jewish Board wants ICC to intervene in David Teeger debacle
The SA Jewish Board has called for the reinstatement of David Teeger who was stripped of his captaincy over his pro-Israel comments.
David Teeger is a South African cricketer who plays age-group cricket representing the South Africa national Under-19 cricket team. Image via X/ @AardvarkBloody.
The South African Jewish Board of Deputies has accused Cricket South Africa of failing to provide credible evidence of any genuine security threats to the upcoming Under19 World Cup tournament because David Teeger was captain of the SA team.
Teeger was stripped of his captaincy following his pro-Israel comments amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine.
BACKGROUND ON DAVID TEEGER AND CSA DEBACLE
In late 2023, David Teeger made headlines in his acceptance speech at the Absa Jewish Achiever Rising Star Awards.
“Yes, I’ve been (given) this award, and I’m now the Rising Star, but the true rising stars are the young soldiers in Israel,” he said.
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An independent inquiry instructed by CSA reportedly ruled that Teeger’s comments did not contravene any codes of conduct.
CSA then stripped Teeger of his captaincy, citing security threats. Since its announcement, the cricket body has been widely criticised and condemned.
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SA JEWISH BOARD WEIGHS IN
Following a meeting between the two parties, SA Jewish Board Chairperson Professor Karen Milner said that even if there had been credible information of a possible threat, CSA could, had it chosen, have taken appropriate steps to deal with it, such as moving the games or providing additional security.
Milner said the only explanation for why a young Jewish cricketer was arbitrarily stripped of his captaincy must, therefore, be plain antisemitism.
“There are good reasons why credible sporting bodies desist from political interference. This should have been the case with CSA, but unfortunately, it was not. Instead, we are seeing high-level political interference with a sinister, discriminatory agenda. The fact that the International Cricket Council allows this tournament to go ahead is a tacit endorsement of CSA’s action,” Milner explained.
The Board also called for the reinstatement of Teeger as captain.
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