THE "SOUTH AFRICAN FRIENDS OF ISRAEL" DECLARATION
9TH MARCH 2014
On 9th March 2014, representatives of 98 civil society organisations, political parties, religious institutions, schools, and student groups from across South Africa signed a declaration in support of Israel.
The declaration read as follows:
We, the undersigned, declare our support for Israel, for the right of the Jewish people to live in freedom and security in their Biblical and historical homeland and for Peace in the Holy Land.
We believe that South Africa has a moral obligation to support a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to distance itself from those who seek to undermine that process.
The majority of South Africans support the right to self-determination of both the Israeli and the Palestinian people and are opposed to extremists who seek to deny either people that right. Nelson Mandela, speaking as ANC leader, encapsulated this when he said, "We recognize the legitimacy of Palestinian nationalism just as we recognise the legitimacy of the Zionism as a Jewish nationalism. We insist on the right of the state of Israel to exist within secure borders but with equal vigour support the Palestinian right to national self-determination".
In particular we note that the aims and ideology of the BDS movement diametrically contradicts the vision for a peaceful resolution to this difficult conflict. Instead, its supporters explicitly deny the right of the Jewish people to an independent existence in their own country, and seek to delegitimise and isolate the State of Israel at every opportunity with a view to bringing about the State of Israel's eventual destruction.
The aims and strategies of BDS contradict the stated policy of the South African government, which is to support a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict. It is regrettable that the ANC has endorsed the destructive agenda of the BDS movement by expressing support for its flagship campaign, "Israel Apartheid Week". We call on the ANC to reconsider this decision and instead explicitly distance itself from the BDS movement and its ignoble aims.
We, the undersigned, therefore call on the South African Government:
To affirm the right of the Jewish people to live in their biblical and historical homeland, as recognized by international law.
To recognize the will of the majority of South Africans who support the right of Israel to exist in safe and secure borders, free of the dangers and threats of those that seek to destroy Israel.
To distance themselves from and condemn (in no uncertain terms) those organisations that seek to destroy Israel.
To strive to be even-handed in its policies regarding the Middle East, taking equally into account the legitimate aspirations, hopes and fears of both peoples.
To assist in the search for peace in the region and enhance the opportunities for dialogue.
To end any support for the BDS campaign and its events, such as IAW.
To ensure the recognition of Zionism as Jewish nationalism just as they recognise the legitimacy of Palestinian nationalism.
To insist on the right of the State of Israel to exist within secure borders with the same vigour that they support the Palestinian right to national self-determination.
To remember its legacy as a democratic, non-violent organisation, and to use this to help foster peace, understanding and reconciliation in the Middle-East and throughout the world.
The list of signatories can be seen here
Statement issued on behalf of Ben Swartz, Chairman, SA Friends of Israel, March 13 2014
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