Christians across South Africa have risen up against the government’s decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on charges of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
“THE The National African Congress “The decision of the government and its allies to bring Israel before the International Court of Justice has brought us to a point where, as in the days of Queen Esther in the Bible, we cannot remain silent,” said Tshego Motaung, head of Nations Healing. prayer for Israel in an article published on the South African Christian site Gateway News: “We cannot remain silent when a government that has failed in its national mandate wants to become a hero on the world political stage.”
His article, published Tuesday, follows an open letter from dozens of faith-based organizations opposed to the matter.
“We, the Christian leaders of South Africa, strongly oppose the decision of the South African government to initiate proceedings against Israel and demand that it be withdrawn immediately,” the letter read.
“We had hoped and prayed that our government would use its influence as a peacemaker to bring about meaningful and lasting peace in the Middle East,” the letter continued. “Unfortunately, he chose not to do so and chose his side. We Christians deplore the loss of innocent lives, whether Jews, Palestinians, Christians or any other people, but we We strongly oppose this decision.”
Groups call South Africa’s decision to file suit ‘fundamentally flawed’
These organizations, including the South African Christian Leaders Forum, Christian View Network, Bridges for Peace, International Christian Embassy in Jerusalemand about two dozen others, called the decision “fundamentally flawed” after Hamas entered Israel on October 7 and raped, mutilated, burned and murdered innocent Israelis.
“This is a deliberate attempt at genocide and is supported by the Hamas charter calling for the total destruction of Israel,” the Christians wrote. “Israel is not seeking to wipe Gaza or the Palestinians off the map. It is seeking to defend itself. This is a case of victim blaming on the part of our government.”
Furthermore, they said the decision would go against South Africa’s best interests and could have decisive political and economic consequences, given that the country’s major trading partners have said they are considering the matter as an endorsement of Hamas terrorism.
They also condemn the government for failing to condemn Hamas’ actions in Gaza.
“Such actions could be interpreted as direct support for Hamas tactics, including the use of civilians as human shields and the diversion of aid for military purposes and the construction of tunnels, rather than humanitarian aid sent to the Palestinian people, which Hamas intercepted,” the letter continues.
Furthermore, the letter said that the slogan “from the river to the sea” means that Israel must become Palestine and the Jews must be destroyed. Beyond denying Jews the right to a homeland in the aftermath of the Holocaust, where does this leave us? us Christians?
“Places of worship for Christians in the Holy Land will be destroyed,” said the Christians.
The authors add that South Africa is not a Muslim country but is predominantly Christian.
“The South African government has undermined the interests of its own people to achieve the political and religious goals of others. The government is also aware that the unilateral approach it has adopted has put its Jewish citizens at risk by inciting anti-Semitism as well as eroding the religious freedom of Christians in South Africa. the letter.
Talk to The Jerusalem Post From South Africa, Motaung said the nation is not involved in South Africa’s foreign policy. She noted that even if the people vote for those in power, “there is a serious gap with the majority.”
South Africa’s Christian community “has stood with Israel for years,” Motaung noted. But she added that the recent war between Israel and Hamas and rising anti-Israel sentiment have led local Christians to become even more vocal.
“Christians stand with Israel because we believe in the Bible,” she told the Post.
Motaung added in his Gateway News article: “History has recorded several generations of kings and kingdoms rising up against Israel and the Jewish people, seeking to annihilate them.
“Israel still exists because none of these attempts succeeded,” she concluded. “Perhaps this move to accuse Israel may just be what is needed to hasten God’s judgment on the ANC government and deliver the South African people from their corruption.”
