A South African multiparty delegation has returned from a historic fact-finding mission to Israel — the first visit of South African members of Parliament group since the October 7th massacre took place in 2023. The Hamas attacks resulted in the murder of over a thousand Israeli citizens and marked a new chapter in the region’s turmoil, after over 250 innocent Israeli civilians amongst them babies, women’s and childrens, elderly and bodies that were brutally abused, were kidnapped by Hamas and Gazans – some of which are South Africans that being murdered by Hamas and the body of the deceased remain captive to this day in Gaza with 58 more others dead bodies and live souls.
The delegation included several Members of Parliament, some of which attended the trip in their private capacity. The delegation included individuals from the Democratic Alliance (DA), African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), and Patriotic Alliance (PA), as well as South African religious leaders from the Christian and Jewish faith. The group of leaders undertook a week-long journey to witness firsthand the human impact of the conflict in Israel. It aimed to create an environment in which support for Israel could be understood and openly embraced, without promoting an anti-Palestinian stance, while opposing acts of terrorism in all their forms.
Delegates visited the devastated sites of Kibbutz Aza and the Nova Music Festival, where they heard harrowing testimonies from survivors of the October 7th massacre. They also engaged in high-level meetings with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, senior Foreign Ministry officials, and visited communities in Bethlehem, Judea, and Samaria.
All delegates observed that, and will confirm with South African media, that there was no evidence of Apartheid and, to the contrary, Israel is a vibrant progressive multi-racial and multi-ethnic society, in which the rights of all citizens are protected and upheld by the rule of law.
They were also exposed to multiple projects where Israeli technology has been utilised to improve the quality of life of hundreds of thousands of people in Africa, and expressed frustration that South Africa’s foreign policy has been so hostile towards a country that has played a critical role in addressing the continent’s most critical social upliftment needs.
The delegation’s experience, left a lasting impression. Pastor Bert Pretorius, President of the South African Community of Faith-Based Federations, stated that “A friend loves at all times. And a brother is born in adversity. How good and how pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity. That is our heart, that’s our desire, that’s why we are here today.”
Member of Parliament Hon. Bridget Masango shared that “This trip was aptly called the ‘fact-finding peace mission’ but nothing could have prepared me for what I have just witnessed.” Hon. Ashley Sauls, Member of Parliament for the Patriotic Alliance, declared: “I am a friend of Israel, and I stand with Israel unapologetically. A nation is not only defined by what it does but also by what it tolerates – and no nation should be expected to tolerate terrorism”. Hon. Steven Swart of the ACDP quoted a German pastor who opposed Nazism, to describe the lack of support Israel has received in its efforts to protect its citizens today: “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil.”
Pastor Bryan Coetzee, representing South African faith-leaders and the Christian Revival Church, added: “Being able to be at the places ourselves, to witness what happened, was heart wrenching. We have done wrong. We have sinned. We have judged this historical nation of Israel and its people during one of the most vulnerable moments in their modern day history”.
Vivienne Myburgh, the South African President of the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem, commented that: “Israel is a nation of builders: resilient, determined, and under siege not only from every border but also from a relentless, hostile media. Yet in the face of constant threat, Israel stands as the frontline in the fight for humanity. They are the canary in the coal mine, warning the world of rising dangers. This trip enabled the vital transfer of truth, equipping each delegate to return home ready to defend Israel and speak out with clarity and conviction.”
Dr. Warren Goldstein, Chief Rabbi of South Africa, concluded the trip by stating that all the delegates exemplified courageous leadership: “It is wonderful to receive support from such a broad spectrum of South Africans and Christian leaders. I want to pay tribute to the delegates for sending a clear message out to partners all around the world that Christians stand with Israel”.
While the trip was rooted in a mission for truth and peace, its impact extended beyond diplomacy. For millions of South Africans — nearly 85% of whom identify as Christian — Israel holds deep spiritual significance. Israel is the land of our biblical shared history, but also a modern nation navigating a complex and dangerous geopolitical reality.
“This mission was about facts, not politics,” said Daniel Jackobi, Director of the South African Friends of Israel (SAFI). “We heard from survivors. We saw the devastation. This is about standing up for truth, peace, and human dignity. The ANC-led government’s actions at the International Court of Justice simply does not reflect the truth of what took place here, or the position and beliefs of the majority of South Africans.”
The visit concluded on April 7th with the signing of the Biblical Affirmation of Unity at the Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem — a symbolic gesture affirming the spiritual bonds between South Africa and Israel. However, the emphasis of the trip remained on the lived realities on the ground and the need for informed leadership in South Africa’s international relations.
Jackobi concluded: “The government of national unity in Parliament must not delay in reshaping South Africa’s foreign policy. Let it be guided by conscience, compassion, and a genuine desire for peace — not by wasteful expenditure on international court cases that have proven entirely unhelpful in aiding peace talks in the region. Faith-based diplomacy, through true witness accounts, will prove to be far more powerful to reconcile the pain and grief faced by the those whose only wish is to live in coexistence and peace.”
