There is something quite remarkable happening on the African continent. A groundswell of love and support from African Christians is swelling for the State of Israel, forged in biblical ties and a mutual love of the land. It is a relationship that has endured and survived political hardships defying voices calling for boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against the Jewish State. In 2016, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, visited several African countries on a charm offensive and the result has been increased bilateral ties and growing trade and support.
It seems almost natural that African countries would seek to build bridges with Israel. Many countries have a historical and political trajectory that mirrors that of the Jewish State. In fact, it was the legendary Golda Meir, Israel’s first female Prime Minister that recognized the great potential for Israel to help Africa. Meir recognized that African countries and Israel share the same tragic pasts, having endured multiple wars and have struggled for independence against foreign powers who ruled their historical homelands.
Over the years, Israel has quietly gone about the business of tikkun olam – contributing to the economic growth and wellbeing of communities all over the African continent. It is no secret that when it comes to groundbreaking technology, Israel is a world leader. From water purification and drip irrigation, to life-saving medical devices and hi-tech know-how, Israel is contributing and sharing much needed skill sets. When the father of modern Zionism, Theodore Herzl, envisioned a Jewish state, perhaps this is what he had in mind of it fulfilling the Biblical prophecy: “Being a Light unto the Nations”.
Forging Favourable Futures
On the southern tip of the continent, in South Africa, where despite a cooling of relations between Pretoria and Jerusalem, relationships are being built. South Africa and Israel share a similar history – both have emerged democratic and victorious after painful pasts. Both share similar agricultural and water challenges. Water shortages and the management of yields and farming output are areas where Israel has implemented many successful projects in Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa.
Israel is helping farmers in rural areas realise their potential and you can view the successes in this You Tube clip: (in Sotho and English).
The invaluable guidence that Israel has provided these rural farmers – not just in technical know-how but also in marketing and business skills – will help sustain these communities well into the future.
Southern Comfort
These relationships are not only built on agricultural or business cooperation. Founded in 2010, -“South African Friends of Israel (SAFI), is described as a movement that “promotes inter-faith dialogue between the South African Jewish community and the broader community in the pursuit of ensuring a balanced view and a better appreciation of Israel by all South Africans.” South Africa is of great strategic importance – not only is the country the economic powerhouse of Africa but also holds positions of power and decision making on several international bodies such as the Non-Aligned movement and African Union among others.
South Africa is also the country where Apartheid was both conceived and defeated. This is of extreme importance as the odious accusation that Israel is an Apartheid state – and should be afforded the same treatment as South Africa – is growing across the world. This manifests at university campuses around the world at their annual festivals of hate known as Israel Apartheid Week (IAW). They run in March, plugging lies and dabbling in distortion.
Supporting alongside SAFI is DEISI (Defend, Embrace, Invest and Support Israel). DEISI believe that “as Christians who love Israel and believe Genesis 12:3, we believe it is our responsibility to defend the right of Israel to exist within safe and secure borders in their homeland. The more the calls from Israel’s enemies to annihilate her are made, the truer Christians should take a bold stand in her defence. Nobody has the right to annihilate Israel or any other nation on earth.”
Members and supporters of SAFI and DEISI play a vital role in disseminating the truth and dispelling the lies. In fact, they are amongst the most vocal and strong supporters of Israel and having experienced Apartheid, are the foremost authorities.
Hear South African Christians speak out for Israel and destroy the Apartheid analogy:
Like South Africa, the Ivory Coast on the west coast of Africa, enjoys strong bilateral relations with the Jewish State. Former President, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, was one of the first leaders of an African country to establish ties with the fledgling state and then to re-establish relations following the OAU (Organisation of African Unity) boycott – in solidarity with its African Arab members – in 1986.
Rooting for Africa
It is not just the Israeli government and Israeli industry that is investing in Africa. The Jewish National Fund (JNF/KKL), one of Israel’s foremost non-profit organisations has been responsible for the planting of over 240 million trees in the country since its inception, making the JNF a world leader in afforestation. In addition, the JNF has built much needed dams and reservoirs and more than 1000 parks. The JNF is perfectly positioned to help communities in Africa who face some of the environmental and water challenges that Israel does. The JNF is involved in a variety of projects on the continent.
In November 2013, representatives from JNF-KKL Belgium visited the West African state and were greeted by crowds of supporters, waving Israeli flags and showing their solidarity with the Jewish state. “It was so inspiring to see the amount of people who came to show their love for the State of Israel, to hear them singing so passionately and to feel their appreciation,” says former JNF/KKL Belgian Emissary, Olivier Rafowicz. “Supporters understand and support Zionism and this was evident in their commitment to the JNF and Israel.” Giving the blessing in Hebrew at the event was Jacob Benzino, President of JNF/KKL Belgium.
Africa for Israel
The vision of Africa for Israel Christian Coalition (AFICC) is “to provide a continental association through which every pro-Israel church, ministry, association or individual in Africa can unite, speak and act with one voice in support of Israel based on our common Judeo-Christian foundations”. AFICC has been successful in Nigeria and in Muslim-led Tanzania in galvanising support for the Jewish State. “Many African leaders are realising that transcending politics and looking for ways to improve the situation of the people in their countries is far more productive. Israel asks for nothing but is prepared to share technology and empower African citizens so that we do not lose vital skill sets,” says founder and pro-Israel activist Luba Mayekiso. “Politicians listen to numbers and many Christians feel that their silence on Israel has been misinterpreted. We have established relationships in Nigeria, Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Kenya and Tanzania who are eager for us to stand together and have requested our assistance in providing them with the correct modern narrative about Israel.”Luba Mayekiso, explains why Africa will stand with Israel:
The rise of pan-African Zionism is heartening.
The continent is fertile terrain for investing in the land and its people. Israel’s founding father, Theodore Herzl, who wrote in 1902 “that once I have witnessed the redemption of the Jews, my own people, I wish also to assist in the redemption of the Africans” would be most proud.
When Herzl penned these words at the dawn of the 20th century, Europeans for the most part were not thinking what was best for Africa but best for Europe. It was still the age of colonization and exploitation.
A free Africa and a free Israel were still distant dreams.
Today, when we reflect on our history, we have a legacy of love and understanding to forge enriching relationships into the future.
