The Higher Presidential Committee for Churches Affairs in Palestine welcomes the resolution adopted by the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA), which declared Israel an apartheid state. This resolution duly approved by the Provincial Standing Committee during its meeting on September 27th, 2023, is a powerful message of commitment and support to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, echoing the true sentiment of the ACSA’s congregation.
The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, Thabo Makgoba, in a statement on the resolution stated “People of all faiths in South Africa have both a deep understanding of what it is to live under oppression, as well as experience of how to confront and overcome unjust rule by peaceful means. When black South Africans who have lived under apartheid visit Israel, the parallels to apartheid are impossible to ignore. If we stand by and keep quiet, we will be complicit in the continuing oppression of the Palestinians.”
This resolution is a response of solidarity to calls made by Palestinian Christians to hold Israel accountable for its crimes against the Palestinian people. Israel persistently, continuously and systematically oppresses Palestinians – including Palestinian Christians – who endure the most heinous manifestations of apartheid. Consequently, Palestinians receive this resolution with warmth and deep appreciation. In a situation of grave injustice, such efforts and responses inject a sense of hope that is much needed.
Dr. Ramzi Khouri, Member of the PLO Executive Committee and Head of the Higher Presidential Committee for Churches Affairs in Palestine hailed the adoption of the resolution: “The adoption of this important and principled resolution is a meaningful demonstration of solidarity and an important step towards justice.” In this context, Dr. Khoury calls upon the Dutch Reformed Church Western Cape Synod to follow the lead and declare Israel an apartheid state during its forthcoming Synod in October 2023.
Furthermore, the Higher Presidential Committee also welcomes the resolution adopted by the Anglican Church of Southern Africa concerning pilgrimages to Palestine and Israel. This resolution establishes moral guidelines in respect to Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land that support engaging with Palestinian Christians, who along with the rest of Palestinians continue to suffer under Israel’s brutal occupation.
The ACSA resolution naming Israeli apartheid follows those of the South Africa Council of Churches (SACC), the U.S. Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 2023, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.) in 2022, and the United Church of Christ (U.S.) in 2021.
