12 November 2023
SA Friends of Israel condemns violent, militant & unconstitutional disruption of prayer rally for Israel in Seapoint: calls for urgent intervention by SA government to protect freedom of speech & assembly
The South African Friends of Israel (SAFI) condemns the forced shutdown of the Concerned Clergy Western Cape’s prayer rally, organised to foster peace and unity in Israel among individuals from diverse faiths. The intervention by the South African Police Service (SAPS) became necessary due to safety concerns arising from the presence of Hamas supporters after they began assailing the police with projectiles.
The unauthorised assembly of Hamas supporters, marked by the display of flags associated with extremist groups including Hamas, Hezbollah and ISIS, disrupted the event by engaging in violent behaviour when asked to disperse. Tragically, their actions led to the cancellation of the prayer rally, and attendees had to be escorted away for their safety. One member of the public had their finger broken as Hamas supporters tried to steal his Israeli flag. Several instigators were arrested at the scene. Video footage of this gross violation of South African human rights is available below, with Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis’ statement on this abhorrent behaviour.
Witness accounts confirm that Christian women attending the prayer rally were physically assaulted and followed by men wielding Palestinian flags. Members of the Jewish community intervened quickly to escort these Christians away from Seapoint in separate vehicles to ensure their safety.
SAFI condemns this violent disrespect of South Africans’ right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly, as outlined in our Constitution. Under Section 17, “Everyone has the right, peacefully and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions” and under Section 16. (1) “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes— (a) freedom of the press and other media; (b) freedom to receive or impart information or ideas; (c) freedom of artistic creativity; and (d) academic freedom and freedom of scientific research.”
The Concerned Clergy Western Cape sought to create a space for diverse communities to come together peacefully, and it is appalling that this vision was met with such violent and aggressive action by members of Pro-Palestine groups. This comes after a number of physical assaults on Christian people praying for Israel outside parliament last week.
One of the organisers of the prayer rally, Vivienne Myburgh of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) said that she was “appalled that the rights of Christians and other faiths were undermined in our democracy”. Hamas, known for suppressing freedom of speech in other parts of the world, seems to have influenced its supporters on South African soil. One Hamas supporter interviewed on SABC refused to condemn the actions of the mob stating that “any Israeli flag is not welcome in South Africa” and that they should be “burnt”.
SAFI urges SAPS to thoroughly investigate this incident and take appropriate action against those responsible for such needless and heinous violence.
As an organisation committed to fostering understanding and cooperation, SAFI calls on all South Africans to condemn this horrific violence and extremism. It is our collective responsibility to uphold the values of peaceful dialogue and coexistence, as enshrined by our constitution, to ensure that the rights of all South Africans are protected, respected and upheld.