Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
10 February 2026

📸 A cancelled Roedean–King David tennis match has sparked a national debate over antisemitism claims and political pressure.

What should have been a routine inter-school tennis match between Roedean School and King David Linksfield has escalated into a national controversy, with allegations of antisemitism, political pressure, and competing versions of events now dominating public discourse.

The cancelled fixture has drawn sharp reactions from Jewish organisations, while others warn that accusations of antisemitism are being used to silence political criticism linked to Israel.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Megan Choritz from South Africa Jews for a Free Palestine argued the uproar reflects a wider attempt to shift focus away from the situation in Palestine. “As far as I’m concerned, this is such a big distraction because what’s happening in the occupied territories is that they have just legalized the execution of prisoners and they are annexing the West Bank,” she said.

Choritz said the controversy began after the South African Zionist Federation released a statement claiming Roedean was accused of antisemitism for cancelling the match. Roedean later issued its own letter, rejecting the allegation and stating the cancellation was due to academic commitments and a scheduling clash.

However, the matter intensified after a leaked voice note suggested parental pressure may have played a role, allegedly linked to South Africa’s stance on Israel. Choritz said a recorded conversation between the two principals further muddied the situation, claiming the King David principal had attempted to pressure Roedean into admitting the cancellation was tied to the school’s Jewish identity.

“The bottom line is King David and the various other Jewish schools in South Africa are Zionist schools,” Choritz said, adding that schools should be allowed to decide whether they want to engage with institutions that openly support Zionism. “Any single school should be able to decide whether or not they want to engage with the King David band of schools.”

She also criticised Roedean’s public response, saying it reflected fear and pressure rather than a clear ethical stance. “Roedean has taken a very weak stance instead of saying, sorry, we don’t want to play against Zionists,” she said.

Choritz further argued that antisemitism is frequently weaponised in South Africa whenever criticism is directed at Israel or Zionist organisations. “Every time anyone says something against Israel or against the Zionists they scream antisemitism, and it’s nonsense,” she said.

The dispute is now reportedly before the Independent Schools Association of South Africa, raising questions about accountability and precedent. Choritz believes the issue should be approached through constitutional rights, particularly freedom of association, but remains sceptical about meaningful consequences.

In closing, she urged a shift in focus: “We need to stop centering Zionist feelings, and start centering a genocide.”

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Moulana Habib Bobat and Megan Choritz.