Posted on 01/13/2024 9:27:17 PM PST by Freeleesy
They also condemn the government for failing to condemn Hamas's actions in Gaza.
Christians throughout South Africa have risen against the government's decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on charges that it is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
"The African National Congress government and their allies' decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice has brought us to a place where, like the time of Queen Esther in the Bible, we cannot keep silent," said Tshego Motaung, head of the Healing of the Nations prayer for Israel movement in an article published on the South African Christian website Gateway News. "We cannot keep silent when a government that has failed on its domestic mandate wants to rise as a hero in the global political arena."
Her article, published on Tuesday, came on the heels of an open letter by dozens of faith-based organizations in opposition to the case.
"We, the South African Christian leaders, strongly oppose the decision by the South African government to launch the case against Israel and demand it be rescinded immediately," the letter read.
"We had hoped and prayed that our government would use its influence as a peacemaker to bring about a meaningful and lasting peace in the Middle East," the letter continued. "Regrettably, it has elected not to do so and instead has chosen sides. We, as Christians, deplore the loss of innocent lives, be it the Jews, Palestinians, Christians, or any other people, but are strongly opposed to the decision."
Groups call South Africa's decision to launch complaint "fundamentally flawed".
The organizations, which include the South African Christian Leaders Forum, Christian View Network, Bridges for Peace, International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, and about two dozen others, called the decision "fundamentally flawed" after Hamas entered Israel on October 7 and raped, mutilated burned and murdered innocent Israelis.
"This was a deliberate genocide attempt and is supported by Hamas' charter calling for the total destruction of Israel," the Christians wrote. "Israel does not seek to wipe Gaza or the Palestinians off the face of the map. It seeks to defend itself. This is a case of victim blaming by our government."
Moreover, they said that the decision would go against the best interest of South Africa and could have determinative political and economic consequences, given that the country's major trading partners said they see the case as an endorsement of Hamas's terrorism.
They also condemn the government for failing to condemn Hamas's actions in Gaza.
"Such actions could be interpreted as direct support to Hamas's tactics, including using civilians as human shields and diverting aid for military purposes and the building of tunnels, rather than humanitarian relief sent to the Palestinian people, which Hamas intercepted," the letter continued.
In addition, the letter said that the slogan "'from the river to the sea' means Israel must become Palestine and Jews must be destroyed. Aside from denying the Jews a right to a homeland in the aftermath of the Holocaust, where does this leave us Christians?
"Places of worship for Christians in the Holy Land will be destroyed," the Christians said.
The writers added that South Africa is not a Muslim country but majority-Christian.
"The South African government has prejudiced the interests of its own people to achieve the political and religious objectives of others. The government is also aware that the one-sided approach it has adopted has placed its Jewish citizens at risk by inciting antisemitism as well as eroding the freedom of religion of Christians in South Africa," the letter read.
Speaking to The Jerusalem Post from South Africa, Motaung said the nation is not involved in South Africa's foreign policy. She noted that although the people vote for those in power, "there is a serious disconnect with the majority."
The Christian community in South Africa "has been standing with Israel for years," Motaung noted. But she said that the recent Israel-Hamas war and rising anti-Israel sentiment have led local Christians to be even more vocal.
"Christians are standing with Israel because we believe in the Bible," she told the Post.
Motaung added in her Gateway News article: "History has recorded over many generations of kings and kingdoms who rose against Israel and the Jewish people, seeking to wipe them out.
"Israel still exists because none of those attempts succeeded," she concluded. "Perhaps this decision to be an accuser of Israel may just be what is needed to hasten the judgment of God against the ANC government and deliver the people of South Africa from their corruption."
"Saint Nelson" was a stinking COMMIE and a terrorist!
Desmond Tutu was a public figure laughed at and derided, NOT the "beloved" wise man that the idiots in the West pretended he was.
And now this, on top of days of the nation's populace having only 12 hours of electricity, when they have any and vast water shortages, not to mention a disastrously high crime, rape, and murder problem.
Bravo for the Christian leaders of communist-ruled South Africa for standing up for the existence and safety of Israel.
More guts that most leftist U.S. church organizations.
I really don’t know what it’s like there, now; however, the majority of populace, of ALL races, used to be pretty religious. There are even Jewish blacks in RSA.
Reagan was excreted for refusing to put sanctions on Sourh Africa. THIS WAS WHY. Because Mendella was a Commie, and so are his successors in this government!
Didn’t see you pos5 first.😂
I have some extended family members who still live there, so I know more about the RSA and the history of that nation than almost any other current FREEPER poster. Though there is someone who is from there, now, but I haven't seen him post anything at all in a rather long time. All of the other South Africans, who are now American citizens, who used to be here, left a long time ago.
God bless
Some racism is acceptable...if it’s not against blacks..
Only ANC members and supporters of the ANC are okay; the others? NOT AT ALL! It was Winnie Mandela who started the whole necklacing of the Zulus, to break them and get them on board with the ANC. So “racism”, against some blacks and the “coloreds” ( mixed race and Indians ) is just fine, in RSA.
I’m tolerant of people of all races, and even sexual preference. The people I’m intolerant of is Leftists.😂
It’s NOT about YOU, nor how you treat others; THIS IS ABOUT THE STINKING ANC IN RSA! And they are some of THE most INTOLERANT PEOPLE on the face of the earth, in all of history!
No, I know, and Reagan did also. He was was slandered as a racist because of it. No, HE SAW WHAT WAS COMING. The Mendella myth makes me as s8ck as the mlk jr.myth. one 2as a commie, the other was sympathetic to them.
Terrific post.
After the Mau Maus and the slaughters in Rhodesia. South Africa and elsewhere from 1952 onward, the continent has never been a good place to be.
US cities would use a banner stating “No Justice No Peace.”
The outright LIES told, by the WEST, about RSA and which are STILL being told, by some, are beyond belief. And yet, naive Americans fall for them to this day; even many posters here.
Mobocracy
Is an euphemism
For liberals
Tell me about it. It is Fredrick Douglas, one of the greatest Americans ever, who deserves a day, not mlk jr. That connects with the other. And the ones about the hero McCarthy that even most Conservatives parrot. All who advance the move twoards collectivism are heros to “historians”. 😡
There are actually many more such, who deserve a day; but that’s NOT going to happen.....any time soon.
Africa is and, with the end of colonial rule,became an roiling mess. The natives prove they are incapable of self rule.
Our stupid government continues to pump money into Africa which is gobbled up by swinish dictators.
South Africa, once a gem, is now even worse than the rest.
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