SA-Israel visit sparks uproar and renewed hope

What began as a bold step toward understanding the complex realities of the Middle East quickly descended into political mudslinging and vitriol. This after a South African multiparty delegation comprising political figures from the Government of National Unity, other members of Parliament, and prominent spiritual leaders travelled to Israel on a privately organised fact-finding mission, the first of its kind since the 7 October massacre.

The privately funded and entirely independent visit from 4 to 10 April was designed to give delegates first-hand exposure to Israel and the region and allow them to witness the human impact of the conflict, enabling them to move beyond the one-dimensional anti-Israel rhetoric that dominates the public discourse in South Africa.

But instead of being applauded for taking the initiative to deepen their understanding, the delegation was met with a barrage of condemnation from anti-Israel activists and fellow South African politicians including from the African National Congress (ANC), and accusations of participating in a “secret mission” without official approval.

The backlash, however, only served to highlight the ideological rigidity of Israel detractors.

“This was a brave and significant step,” said Shaun Zagnoev, the chairperson of the South African Friends of Israel (SAFI), which hosted the delegation. “The delegates knew they would face resistance, but they went anyway, because real policy and moral clarity cannot come from slogans.”

Zagnoev said it was “the most impactful delegation” the group had hosted since the 7 October massacre.

Members of the delegation included: Emma Louise Powell; Glynnis Breytenbach; Bridget Masango; Darren Bergman; Nicholas Myburgh; Dr Delmaine Chelsey Christians; Katherine Christie; Liam Jacobs; and Mlondi Mdluli from the Democratic Alliance; Ashley Sauls and Millicent Mathopa from the Patriotic Alliance; Steven Swart from the African Christian Democratic Party; and several high-level spiritual leaders.

“These were top political and Christian leaders who knew they would face resistance upon their return,” said Zagnoev. “Despite this, they felt they couldn’t intelligently arrive at policies relating to Israel/Palestine without direct exposure to the region and its people. Many told me that this trip changed their perspective completely. For the first time, they were able to appreciate the complexities of the situation and the vulnerability of Israel.”

For Steven Swart of the African Christian Democratic Party, the visit was deeply personal and emotional.

“I’ve been to Israel before, but this time was different,” Swart said. “The country is at war, and we could feel the pain and trauma of 7 October in every encounter.”

Swart was particularly moved to meet the family of the Berman twins in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, who are still being held hostage in Gaza. “I’m a father of twin adult sons of similar age. Their ordeal hit home hard,” he said.

Hearing testimony from Nova festival survivors was traumatic. “My sons have also attended music festivals. I just wanted these people and all the people of Israel to know: we hear you, you’re not alone. Millions of South Africans stand with Israel, even if our government doesn’t.

“I went in my personal capacity, with my party’s blessing,” Swart said. “No-one has the right to tell me I cannot visit the holy land.

“We aren’t unsympathetic to the plight of innocent Gazans and are deeply saddened by all loss of life but we’ll continue to stand with Israel and offer comfort,” he said.

Their itinerary included visits to key holy sites; time spent in Bethlehem, Judea, and Samaria engaging with local residents; and emotional encounters with Jewish and Druze survivors of the 7 October Hamas massacre; as well as spending a Shabbat dinner at the home of Holocaust survivor Rena Quint.

Sauls didn’t flinch at the backlash.

“My conviction and support for Israel made it easier to face the criticism,” he said.

He described meeting people devastated by the Holocaust and the 7 October massacre. “Despite the pain and anger, all they want is peaceful coexistence within secure borders,” he said.

“I saw no evidence that Israel is an apartheid state,” he said. “There’s no genocide. If there were, it would include Palestinians under the PLO [Palestinian Liberation Organization] too. Israel’s war is with Hamas, not civilians.

“To be a friend of Israel doesn’t make us enemies of Palestinians,” he said. “But we’re definitely enemies of terror.”

“Meeting President Herzog was significant for everyone present including the president,” said SAFI Chief Executive Daniel Yakcobi, “but so was speaking to ordinary Israelis, Arabs, Muslims, Christians and Jews, survivors, and families. It reinforced that South African leaders aren’t enemies in the journey for peace.”

Yakcobi described a powerful moment of prayer when Rabbi Doron Perez shared the heartbreaking story of his son, Daniel, who was born in South Africa and murdered by Hamas. His body remains in Gaza. Perez, the head of World Mizrachi, appealed to the South African delegates to help return his son’s body.

“Pastor Bert Pretorius, the founder of the South African Community of Faith-Based Fraternals and Federations, then led a prayer that transcended politics, a prayer for Daniel to come home, for peace, for healing,” Yakcobi said.

“We stood there as Jews and Christians, united in pain and prayer. That moment reminded us that the fight for Israel is a fight for all people of faith and conscience.”

Zagnoev emphasised a broader concern: “Israel may eventually write off South Africa as a lost cause. That would be catastrophic, not just for Jews, but for all religious groups here.

“The fact that such a senior delegation was prepared to travel to Israel sent a signal to the Israeli leadership, including Herzog, that the ANC-led government doesn’t speak for the majority of South Africans and that there’s a deep religious affinity to Israel by many millions of South Africans. The Israeli leaders that we met expressed an interest in fostering a relationship with South Africa, noting that the ANC’s offensive position makes this challenging.”

He remains hopeful, saying, “I’m encouraged that to some extent, we’ve broken the ice and that the groundwork for further interaction between leaders in South Africa and Israel has been laid.”