SA Christians challenge government over Israel

Thousands of Christians, gathered for the A Million Women National Solemn Assembly, have challenged the government’s position on Israel, making it clear that the country’s foreign policy does not represent all South Africans. 

More than 5 500 Christians gathered at Beula Park conference centre in Johannesburg on 19 September to pray for Israel and the Jewish people. 

The turnout demonstrated the growing Christian constituency that supports Israel despite the South African government’s strained relationship with the country, according to the South African Friends of Israel (SAFI). 

Its national spokesperson, Bafana Modise, told the SA Jewish Report that the gathering highlighted a “serious disconnect” between South Africa’s political leadership and a silent majority. “This turnout demonstrates that sometimes the policy of a country doesn’t reflect the people of the country,” he said. 

The assembly called Christians to fast, pray, and intercede for South Africa. It was open to women, men, families, churches, and believers across denominations. It was described as a call to unite in prayer during a time of national urgency. 

Israel’s newly appointed Deputy Head of Mission, Hen Feder, was present at the gathering. For him, it was an opportunity to strengthen connections between Israel and South African Christians. 

“The main importance is the connection,” he said. “Building the connection, or strengthening the connection more precisely, in the Christian community here in South Africa and in other countries.” 

Feder said the gathering included international participants and reflected historical connections and shared values between Christians, Jews, and Israel. “There is obviously a very strong historical connection and shared values and beliefs between the two communities.” 

He said the Israeli embassy wanted to strengthen people-to-people relationships. “It’s no secret that there are many differences between the Israeli government and South African government,” Feder said. “But at the same time, there are still many people here in South Africa who support Israel.” 

The embassy wanted to build relationships not only with Christian communities, but with traditional leaders and other groups interested in maintaining positive relations with Israel. The gathering provided one example of how that engagement could take place, he said. 

“In practice, what happened in that A Million Women event is a good example where we come to show support to people who support us,” Feder said. Future engagement could include shared events, projects, and meetings. 

For Modise, however, the significance of the gathering went beyond religious solidarity. He argued that South Africa’s foreign policy on Israel was driven by political ideology rather than the interests of ordinary South Africans. 

“I would love to see South Africa play more of a mediation role between the two people [Israelis and Palestinians],” Modise said. “It would be better for them to play a Mandela role, a reconciliation role. That’s what we are known for. We are known to be a country that was built on reconciliation, people coming together, looking beyond their differences.” 

Feder said the embassy wasn’t seeking to dictate South African foreign policy, but wanted to find areas where it could engage constructively. “At the end of the day, the South African government is well aware of the differences in points of view regarding the geopolitical situation.” 

He pointed specifically to South Africa’s support for Iran and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case as issues that were “very problematic” for Israel. 

“The decision to take Israel to the ICJ is something that has a huge impact on the way that Israel sees South Africa today,” Feder said. “Not only the government, but any Israeli you speak with will tell you that this is a major stain on the relationship.” 

Despite those tensions, Feder said there were opportunities for cooperation in areas such as water, agriculture, and healthcare. However, the extent of that cooperation depended on the environment created by the South African government. 

Modise also highlighted Israel’s potential contribution in areas including innovation, technology, and water solutions. 

SAFI has sought to distinguish support for Israel from hostility towards Palestinians. 

Modise said the organisation supported Israelis and Palestinians living alongside one another. “We see it from a point of cooperation, good neighbourliness, through that two-state solution, if that is the route that leaders of both countries will agree to,” he said. “But the idea is basically to see two people living side by side, far away from bloodshed, far away from indoctrination, and pursuing and safeguarding the future for their children’s children.” 

Modise said one of the most significant moments of the event for him was when Pearl Kupe, a minister, lawyer, and Kingdom activist expressed solidarity with Israel by quoting from the Book of Ruth. “Your people will be our people and Your G-d will be our G-d,” Kupe said. 

Modise said the words were particularly meaningful to him following the 7 October Hamas attacks and the subsequent war. “It warmed my heart to hear non-Jewish Christian voices declaring that.” 

Feder said the event was personally significant because it was his first large Christian gathering since beginning his current role at the Israeli embassy. “I didn’t know what to expect and it exceeded my expectations,” he said. “It really moved me on a personal level.” 

For SAFI, the gathering represents a broader call for Christians to become more publicly engaged with South Africa’s debate over Israel. 

He also linked the issue to the country’s changing political landscape. “South Africa’s rules are changing, elections are coming up,” he said. “There is a certain wave of change that is coming to our nation. I’m hoping that with that wave of change will also be a new direction, a new better appreciation of Israel.” He hoped South Africa would develop stronger leadership focused on the country’s interests while working with Israel in areas that could benefit both countries. 

The A Million Women movement’s stated purpose extends beyond Israel, with its organisers describing the assembly as a national call to prayer, fasting, worship, repentance, and intercession for South Africa. But the participation of SAFI and the Israeli embassy placed Israel firmly within the gathering’s public message. 

For SAFI, the turnout was evidence that the government’s position doesn’t encompass the views of all South Africans. For Israel’s diplomatic mission, it demonstrated that people-to-people ties remain possible despite the deep political differences between the two governments. The question now is whether those relationships can translate into broader engagement between South Africans and Israelis while diplomatic tensions remain.