The World Council of Churches (WCC) is a world-wide inter-church organisation which spans more than 110 countries and represents over 600 million people. This year its governing body, the WCC central committee, comprising 158 members, met in Johannesburg. South African Jews for a Free Palestine (SAJFP) were honoured to be present at this conference where critical (if belated) declarations were made with respect to Palestine.
The WCC finally recognized and denounced the fact that Israel is an Apartheid state; called for state sanctions in response to Israel’s violations of international law and crimes against humanity; affirmed the Palestinian right to ‘freedom, justice, return and self-determination’ and declared support for the Palestinian Christian churches and communities in their struggle to remain on their land and freely practise their faith.
According to many at the conference this decision would not have been taken a year ago despite the fact that the ICJ had found it plausible that genocide was being committed in Gaza. The overwhelming depravity of Israel’s actions in Gaza has, however, made these conclusions inescapable.
The fact that many states are trying to actively suppress the voices of their people, even criminalizing support for Palestinians, makes it critical that religious institutions take an active stance in the struggle for human rights and for Palestinian freedom.
As South African Jews we call on all religious leaders, and all religious institutions, to work with their congregations and governments in implementing the resolutions of the WCC; most especially that of targeted sanctions, divestment and arms embargoes. Only with such concrete actions, ones imposing real consequences on Israel, can we possibly hope to end the ongoing horror foisted on Palestinians. International pressure, from all people of all faiths, is required and we invite the WCC to work with the Global Jews for Palestine affiliates throughout the world to further these ends.