Leaders from the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) have called on sports bodies, schools and universities in South Africa to cut ties with Israeli institutions amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

This follows a resolution adopted by the ACSA earlier this week.

The resolution, adopted at an online meeting of church representatives from South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and St Helena, occurred at the annual meeting of the church’s Standing Committee on Friday.

The committee also called on the South African government to follow Colombia’s example by banning coal exports to the State of Israel.

The Anglican Church has been repeatedly using its voice in support of Palestine, calling on government and other organisations to act.

The ACSA said that they “cannot remain neutral in the face of such profound human suffering.”

“We reaffirm our call for: an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, accountability for violations of international law, the release of all hostages and political prisoners, and renewed commitment to peace-building rooted in justice, dignity, and truth.”

In a statement adopted by the church’s Synod of Bishops, the bishops said: “We commend those governments which have in recent days given formal recognition to Palestine as an independent state, in the face of strong protests from Israel, and urge other governments to follow their example.”

At their annual meeting, they noted that the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza is nearing 60,000 deaths through war, starvation and lack of access to medical resources.

“Genocidal actions of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) in preventing the delivery of food, water and medicines to the people of Gaza” and they also called out the “intensifying attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians and the illegal expansion of settlements”.

They also raised frustration with the continued export of coal to the Israeli state by South-African based companies, saying it fuels the energy grid, illegal settlements and “genocidal actions of the IDF”.

The church leaders further resolved to:

• Commend and affirm all non-violent actions against the Israeli occupation of Palestine;
• Call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, an end to the occupation and the cessation of the killing of inhabitants;
• Call upon the government of Israel and the IDF to immediately allow the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza;
• Call upon SAFA to request that FIFA ban Israel from participation in all FIFA-approved events;
• Respectfully request the Archbishop to address a letter in this regard to the SAFA administration, communicating this request;
• Call upon all sports bodies, schools and universities in South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini and Namibia to cut all ties with Israeli institutions;
• Call upon the government of South Africa to strengthen its principled stance against apartheid and genocide by following Colombia’s example in banning all coal exports to the Israeli state;

They urged support for the Global Sumud Flotilla as a non-violent attempt to break the siege on Gaza for humanitarian aid and encourage similar initiatives.

The Synod of Bishops added: “We acknowledge the courageous commitment of the churches in Palestine to maintaining their ministry in the face of attack and obstruction by Israel. We recognise with humility the Church’s past silence and complicity in the plight of the people of Palestine, and we recommit ourselves to solidarity with the oppressed, to prophetic witness against apartheid and militarisation, and to deep prayer for peace.

“We urge our members to undertake symbolic acts in support of the rights of the people of Palestine, such as the ringing of church bells at midday on Fridays.”

On Saturday, thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators came out in their numbers, calling on the South African government to impose stricter sanctions on Israel. The crowd, which included both young children and older citizens, marched from Muir Street to Parliament, braving the scorching sun while chanting “Free Palestine” and “Palestine will be free!”.

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za

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