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South Africa - The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) has questioned Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein's "moral authority" to continue serving on the country's National Religious Leaders' Forum.

"We're questioning his position and whether he holds the necessary moral and ethical authority to be part of this noble forum," said Nabeweya Malick, the MJC spokesperson.

The forum comprises representatives of all major faiths in SA.

"Dialogue will take place between our organisation and other members [of the forum] calling for him to express clearly what his position is.

"We're not very pleased with the chief rabbi at this stage."

During Thursday's heated discussion between Muslim theologian Moulana Ebrahim Bham and Goldstein on 702 Talk Radio, the rabbi stated: "The SA Jewish community passionately believes Israel is the victim in this conflict and that Israel is conducting itself in a manner which is a just and a legal war, a war of self-defence that it was forced to against its will. It's a war of self-defence."

This has angered Muslims, says Malick. "As the Muslim community, we'd like to hear statements of peace and justice coming from men of the cloth and for them not to lose their independence. We feel he has been sucked into political propaganda.

"What's picked up [in the discussion] is a justification and almost encouragement from the chief rabbi that military action must continue.

"There's no mention about the call for a ceasefire and the killing of entire families. Speaking as a rabbi, where is his compassion? The forum is for all religious leaders to maintain some kind of sane moral position."

But Zev Krengel, national chairperson of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies, said Goldstein was a man of great integrity.

"I think it's very sad they [the MJC] are politicising a conflict not on our continent and trying to undermine a religious leader with an impeccable record."

Avrom Krengel, chairperson of the SA Zionist Federation, said the MJC's questioning of Goldstein's credentials showed intolerance for different views - the "hallmark of a free and democratic" SA.

"We oppose their views as much as they oppose ours - we feel Hamas is terrible, but because we live in South Africa, together we have to set aside our views in respect of another region and work together."

The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) has questioned Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein's "moral authority" to continue serving on the country's National Religious Leaders' Forum.

"We're questioning his position and whether he holds the necessary moral and ethical authority to be part of this noble forum," said Nabeweya Malick, the MJC spokesperson.

The forum comprises representatives of all major faiths in SA.

"Dialogue will take place between our organisation and other members [of the forum] calling for him to express clearly what his position is.

"We're not very pleased with the chief rabbi at this stage."

During Thursday's heated discussion between Muslim theologian Moulana Ebrahim Bham and Goldstein on 702 Talk Radio, the rabbi stated: "The SA Jewish community passionately believes Israel is the victim in this conflict and that Israel is conducting itself in a manner which is a just and a legal war, a war of self-defence that it was forced to against its will. It's a war of self-defence."