By Bafana Modise, national spokesperson of South African Friends of Israel
See also: Urgent, high-level Christian gathering in Israel will address antisemitism, replacement theology
The South African Friends of Israel (SAFI) will this weekend lead the largest South African delegation of Christian leaders ever to attend the Jerusalem Summit, a major international gathering focused on combatting the global rise of antisemitism and strengthening biblical literacy regarding Israel and the Jewish people.
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The summit, convened by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), will bring together Christian leaders, theologians, pastors and educators from 54 countries in Jerusalem from June 9 to June 11.
The SA delegation departed on Sunday and arrived in Israel on Monday, ahead of the three-day summit, where they will join hundreds of delegates from around the world in addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing both the Jewish community and the global Church. According to organisers, the summit comes at a critical moment as antisemitism continues to surge internationally following the October 7 terror attacks against Israel, while hostility towards the Jewish state increasingly manifests not only in political discourse but also within some theological circles.
SAFI national spokesperson, Bafana Modise, said the delegation’s participation reflects the growing commitment among SA Christians to stand against antisemitism and to deepen their understanding of Israel’s historical and biblical significance: “Antisemitism is not merely a Jewish problem. It is a societal problem, a moral problem and, for Christians, a theological problem. When hatred of Jewish people resurfaces, history teaches us that it rarely ends there,” said Modise.
“The Jerusalem Summit provides a unique opportunity for Christian leaders to engage with world-class scholars, theologians and experts on the growing threats facing Jewish communities worldwide, while also strengthening the Church’s understanding of the biblical foundations that underpin Christianity itself.”
Among the delegates attending are senior church leaders representing significant Christian constituencies across South Africa, including leadership from the Full Gospel Church of God, one of the country’s largest Pentecostal denominations with approximately 700 000 members.
The summit will focus on practical strategies for recognising and confronting contemporary forms of antisemitism, equipping church leaders with educational resources, theological training and practical tools that can be implemented within congregations, Bible schools and ministry networks upon their return.
Dr Jürgen Bühler, President of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, said the gathering seeks to restore biblical clarity on Israel, covenant and the Church at a time when confusion and misinformation are increasingly influencing public discourse.
“Participants will receive practical teaching, pastoral resources and theological tools designed to strengthen the Church’s public witness and its ability to respond effectively to modern antisemitism,” said Bühler. For SAFI, the summit represents an important opportunity to build stronger relationships between SA Christian leaders and their counterparts from around the world while demonstrating solidarity with Jewish communities facing increasing hostility.
“South Africa’s faith community has an important role to play in promoting understanding, combatting prejudice and standing against all forms of hatred,” Modise added. “Our delegation travels to Jerusalem not only to learn, but also to return better equipped to strengthen these values within our own communities.”
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