Marchers demand SA-Israel ties be restored.
Christians united behind cause: Meshoe
ACROWD organised under the banner of South African Friends of Israel (Safi) marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, demanding the reinstatement of South Africa’s ambassador to Israel, recalled in May after Israeli armed forces killed 41 Palestinians.
Political party leaders including Cope’s Mosiuoa Lekota and the African Democratic Christian Party’s Reverend Kenneth Meshoe were among the protest leaders. The crowd, waving pro-Israel placards, raised the Israeli flag high as they descended on the seat of government.
“We believe [SA] relations with Israel must be strengthened; not weakened. The majority of people here are Christians saying to the ANC, if you don’t listen to these thousands representing millions of Christians in South Africa who say do not downgrade the Israeli embassy, then next year Hamas which influences you won’t be there to vote for you,” said Meshoe.
“During elections, they [ANC leaders] will run to churches asking for votes. They cannot ask for votes from people they are undermining and refusing to hear.”
Meshoe said whoever suggested cutting ties with the Jewish people of Israel “is undermining our faith”.
“Every year, thousands of Christians go on a pilgrimage to Israel. We don’t want that to be undermined by people expecting votes from Christians,” he said.
Pretoria recalled Ambassador Sisa Ngombane in May after the killings of Palestinians at the Gaza border, in an attack which left many seriously injured.
At the time, South Africa’s International Relations Department reiterated its stance, that the Israeli Defence Force must withdraw from the Gaza Strip “and end the violent, destructive incursions into Palestinian territories”.
Yesterday, Meshoe said the ANC-led government had “jumped the gun”.
“News reports came out, with Hamas saying 50 out of the 62 people who lost their lives were their members. So the ANC punished Israel for the death of terrorists… who wanted to harm the people of Israel.”
As for Julius Malema’s EFF campaign to have the Israeli embassy shut down, Moshoe said: “If the EFF curses Israel, if the ANC curses Israel, watch what is going to happen to them in next year’s elections.” – African News Agency (ANA)