SA faith leaders land in Israel amid missile alert

South African faith leaders expected a summit on antisemitism. Few expected their first lesson to begin on the airport tarmac. Minutes after landing at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv this week, members of the largest South African Christian delegation ever to attend the Jerusalem Summit found themselves rushing to bomb shelters as warning sirens sounded. 

For many in the group, it was their first visit to Israel. The experience gave them an immediate glimpse into Israelis’ reality while also shaping the tone of a visit focused on strengthening ties between Christians and Jews and addressing the global rise of antisemitism. 

The delegation was organised by the South African Friends of Israel (SAFI) and travelled to Israel to participate in the Jerusalem Summit, hosted by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem from 9 to 11 June. The gathering brought together Christian leaders, theologians, educators, and pastors from 54 countries. 

Among the South African delegates were church leaders from different denominations and ministry organisations. According to SAFI, the South African group was the second largest national delegation attending the summit after the United States. 

Pastor Ronnie Matras, from Glory Ministries International Potchefstroom, said the journey became dramatic before they had even landed. “The plane had to circle around for something like 20 minutes and wait for approval to land,” he said. After touchdown, the situation intensified. “When we landed, there was the threat of the siren that went off, so we had to go into the shelter.” 

Although the experience was frightening, Matras said airport staff and local residents had helped put visitors at ease. “We were scared, but I was actually at peace because of how they made us feel safe in that panic state, because we are not used to it. Even at the airport, we were welcomed warmly.” 

Pastor Willem Pretorius, a pastor in the Full Gospel Church of G-d in South Africa and a tour leader with Menorah Tours, described how events unfolded. “At Addis Ababa we were about to board our connecting flight to Tel Aviv when we saw the news,” he said. “Before landing in Tel Aviv, our plane circled. As soon as we landed, we received warnings on our phone that we needed to get into a shelter. 

“In the bomb shelter, I was struck by how Israelis accepted and embraced us by letting us share the safety of their shelters, especially considering we are coming from a country whose government is vocally anti-Israel,” he said. 

Daniel Yakcobi, the chief executive of SAFI, said the experience exposed first-time visitors to the realities many Israelis face regularly. “That is the Israeli way of living at the moment. Unfortunately, the first-timers to Israel had to experience that.” 

The summit was convened against a backdrop of growing concern about antisemitism around the world. Organisers said it was designed to help Christian leaders better understand contemporary antisemitism and strengthen biblical literacy regarding Israel and the Jewish people. 

Yakcobi said the conference was also intended to strengthen cooperation between Christians and Jews. “We are here to address antisemitism arising globally and the church playing a pivotal role, an important role, in our Christian-Judeo alliance,” he said. 

Pretorius said that despite the dramatic arrival, daily life in Israel appeared remarkably resilient. “Since our arrival it has been quiet. Yesterday the schools were closed but today everything is back to normal.” 

The South African delegation included leaders representing substantial Christian constituencies. SAFI said the participation reflected growing interest from some South African Christians in engaging with Israel and strengthening relationships with Jewish communities. 

Pretorius said that motivation was central to his own involvement. “It is our duty as Christians to support Israel. We are here to build relationships.” 

He added, “We Christians support and pray for Israel.” 

For Yakcobi, the events at the airport underscored the importance of the visit. Rather than deterring delegates, he said it was a direct encounter with realities often viewed only through news reports. “What better understanding can you have than your own experience? You’re becoming a living testimony,” he said. 

For a group that travelled to learn about Israel and stand against antisemitism, the journey began not in a conference hall, but in a bomb shelter shared with strangers who quickly offered them safety.