The statement below was released by concerned Christian leaders last week before the hearing of the South African government’s lawsuit at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. We publish it now as Gateway News was on a seasonal publishing break when the statement was released.
STATEMENT BY CONCERNED CHRISTIANS IN RESPONSE TO THE CASE LAUNCHED BY SOUTH AFRICA AGAINST ISRAEL IN THE ICJ
We the South African Christian leaders, strongly oppose the decision by the South African government to launch the case against Israel, and demand it be rescinded immediately (“the Decision”) as it is without merit and detrimental to South Africa’s national interests for the following reasons:
- We had hoped and prayed that our government would use its influence as a peacemaker to bring about a meaningful and lasting peace in the Middle East. Regrettably it has elected not to do so and instead has chosen sides. We, as Christians deplore the loss of innocent lives, be it the Jews, Palestinians, Christians or any other people but are strongly opposed to the Decision.
- The Decision is fundamentally flawed. The unprovoked attack against Israel’s civilians included rape, mutilation, burning and other, hitherto, unimaginable horrors. This was a deliberate genocide attempt and is supported by Hamas’ charter calling for the total destruction of Israel. Gaza and West Bank celebrations following the attack and Hamas’ repeated statements that it seeks to carry out similar October 7 massacres whenever it has the opportunity. Hamas and other fundamentalist organizations before and after October 7 have openly called for the killing of every Jew and Israeli world wide, whilst DIRCO stated in our country’s position, that the South African government is opposed to all forms of terrorism in February 2023, we call on our government to return to that stance. Israel does not seek to wipe Gaza or the Palestinians off the face of the map. It seeks to defend itself. This is a case of victim blaming by our government.
- The Decision is not in the best interest of South Africa and its citizens. Detrimental political and economic consequences are likely to follow from the fact that many of South Africa’s major trading partners, including the US, Germany and Britain regard the Decision as an endorsement of the atrocities committed by Hamas . South Africa is suffering from debilitating unemployment levels, high levels of poverty and is fast becoming an uninvestable, failed country. We urge the Government to focus on this key issue, which impacts every South African, especially our most vulnerable citizens.
- The absence of a public condemnation from South Africa regarding Hamas’s actions in Gaza, raises significant concerns. This silence is more conspicuous given the recent hosting of a delegation from Iran and Hamas in South Africa. Such actions could be interpreted as direct support to Hamas’s tactics, including using civilians as human shields and diverting aid for military purposes and the building of tunnels, rather than humanitarian relief sent to the Palestinian people, which was intercepted by Hamas. This stance raises questions about South Africa’s position on these critical human rights issues and its role in international diplomacy. Our government’s lead counsel in the case, is a trustee of an International NGO, ‘Lawyers for Palestine’, which appears to be the source of much of their application.
- The slogan from Hamas “From the river to the sea” means Israel must become Palestine and Jews must be destroyed. Aside from denying the Jews a right to a homeland in the aftermath of the holocaust, where does this leave us Christians? Places of worship for Christians in the Holy Land will be destroyed. South Africa is not a Muslim country. The majority of its people are Christians. The South African government has prejudiced the interests of its own people to achieve the political and religious objectives of others. The government is also aware that the one sided approach it has adopted has placed its Jewish citizens at risk by inciting antisemitism as well as eroding the freedom of religion of Christians in South Africa.
- Why did the Government not speak out against numerous atrocities committed against innocent civilians, as well as bringing hostages home. This long list includes Syria, Nigeria, Rwanda, Mozambique, Afghanistan. Our government has been inconsistent in upholding international law, assisting Omar al-Bashir to evade arrest? Additionally, why has South Africa chosen to ignore Security Council Resolution number 1373 which requires all UN countries, including South Africa to take steps against, let alone support, terrorist organizations like Hamas.
- The list goes on. The fact of the matter is that South Africa has demonstrated
capricious subjectivity by the Decision and has elected to engage in “lawfare” to achieve the political and religious agendas of extremists whose interests are not aligned with those of the majority of South African citizens or our national interest. - We reiterate our prayer for peace and deeply regret our government’s Decision to take sides and to do the bidding of those who have sinister and ulterior political and religious objectives and who have no genuine interest in the rule of law.
Supporting organizations:
Transformation Africa
Tell Them Ministries International One in Christ All Nations
Bridges for Peace
Concerned Clergy Western Cape
Life Change Centre River Word Church
International Christian Embassy Jerusalem
Spirit and Truth
Church on the Move
Three Cord Family Services Friends From Abroad
Light Ministries International
Church on the Rise
MEP Church
Shalam Christian Centre
Grâce â la Grâce Church Christian View Network Mitchells Plain Rebuild Ministers Forum
South African Christian Leaders Forum
African Enterprise
South African Friends of Israel
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