Middle East

Expulsion of Israeli diplomat sparks backlash

By Nicola Miltz — Originally published in SA Jewish Report South Africa’s decision to expel Israel’s chargé d’affaires has escalated into a full-blown diplomatic crisis, drawing condemnation from the United States (US) State Department, sharp rebukes from multiple domestic political parties, and expressions of shock from Jewish communal organisations.  Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein publicly […]

National Pentecostal Forum tells Israeli Deputy FM that SA government does not speak for them — SAFI

The National Pentecostal Forum (NPF), an inter-denominational umbrella organisation representing over three million South African Pentecostals, has returned from a trip to Israel hosted by South African Friends of Israel (SAFI). The trip, which brought together leaders of various churches in the NPF, included a visit to the Garden Tomb, the […]

Arab media highlights Houthi crackdown on Yemen’s Christian converts

Originally published in All Israel News Voices in Arab media have been criticising the escalation in Houthi oppression of Yemen’s minorities, highlighting the organized persecution of Muslim-background believers. An article published in Aawsat on Wednesday announced: “After the deportation of the Jews and the Baha’is… the Houthis oppress the converts […]

Xhosa king criticises SA government, media for downplaying October 7 attack

Originally published in All Israel News Xhosa King Ahlangene Sigcawu, a traditional South African king, visited Israel this week, where he met with October 7 survivors and toured the Israeli border communities and the Nova music festival site attacked by Hamas terrorists two years ago. He sharply criticised the South […]

Expert sounds alarm on ‘gruesome’ Christian persecution in Syria

Originally published in Faithwire Christian leaders recently came together to send a letter to President Donald Trump, warning the commander-in-chief about the dire situation for Christians and other minority groups inside Syria. The letter, written by Dede Laugesen, president of Save the Persecuted Christians, was delivered before Trump held a meeting last […]

SA Christian leaders committed to countering misinformation, promoting friendship, after visit to Israel

Originally published in Israel Today A high-level delegation of South African Christian leaders visited Israel in mid-November with a clear mission: to witness the reality on the ground, strengthen long-standing ties with the Jewish state and return home as “ambassadors for truth” at a time when diplomatic ties between Jerusalem […]

Blind Christian in Pakistan charged with blasphemy

Originally published in Christian Daily A 49-year-old blind Christian in Pakistan has been arrested and charged with blasphemy, punishable by death, after a Muslim accused him of insulting Islam’s prophet, his mother said. Martha Yousaf, the nearly 80-year-old mother of Nadeem Masih, said that Waqas Mazhar and other Muslims often […]