SA Anglican Church Declares ‘Israel’ Apartheid State

The Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) advanced a pro-Palestine resolution on September 28th, 2023, declaring ‘Israel’ an apartheid state, in a move that is seen as consistent with the evidence-based conclusions of global human rights bodies, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

ACSA said in a statement that it endorses and cherishes the position taken by the South African Council of Churches (SACC) national executive committee declaring ‘Israel’ an apartheid state.

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, the South African Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, issued a statement commenting on the decision by the Provincial Standing Committee, saying “We can no longer ignore the realities on the ground. We are opposed not to the Jewish people, but to the policies of Israelis’ governments, which are becoming ever more extreme.”

“If we are to celebrate peace for Palestinians and security for the Israelis in our time, we need to pray and work for the land we call holy, for an end to the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank and for full recognition of the Palestinians’ inalienable right to self-determination,” he added.

ACSA expressed its support for the upcoming global anti-apartheid conference on Palestine to be held in Tshwane in November 2023, calling to “pray for our Anglican brothers and sisters in Palestine and to express our solidarity with them.”

The South African Government has remained supportive of the Palestinian cause, risking diplomatic relations to be in favour of this stance.

Last week, South Africa took a solidarity decision with Palestine, exempting citizens holding Palestinian passports from entry visas that Palestinians can access upon their arrival at South African airports, ports, and crossings with permission to stay for up to 90 days.

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