Cape Town – The Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) has called on sports bodies, schools, and universities in South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, and St Helena to sever ties with Israeli institutions in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The appeal follows a resolution adopted during the church’s Standing Committee meeting on Friday, which was attended by representatives from these countries.
According to News24, ACSA said in a statement that the church “cannot remain neutral in the face of such profound human suffering.”
In doing so, the bishops demanded an “immediate and permanent ceasefire, unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, accountability for violations of international law, the release of all hostages and political prisoners” and “renewed commitment to peace-building rooted in justice, dignity, and truth.”
ACSA accused the Israeli Defence Force of engaging in “genocidal actions” by blocking the delivery of necessities such as food, water and medicines into Gaza. The church also highlights “intensifying attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians” and condemns the “illegal expansion of settlements.”
It further criticised ongoing coal exports from South Africa to Israel, contending these exports bolster Israel’s energy infrastructure and settlement expansion.
ACSA also called on the South African Football Association to request that FIFA ban Israel from participating in international competitions.
It also sought for the Archbishop to formally address this appeal to SAFA. The church also pressed the government to follow Colombia’s example by halting coal exports to Israel, reported IOL.
Anti-apartheid activist, Dr Allan Boesak, participating at the Pro-Palestine protest in Cape Town, says they want the SA government to cut ties with Israel and shut down the embassy over genocide allegations. @Nasiphi_Same has more.
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The bishops committed to symbolic acts of solidarity — for instance, ringing church bells at midday on Fridays in support of Palestine — and acknowledged the church’s past silence on the Palestinian crisis, pledging renewed solidarity with affected communities.
As reported by SABC News, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba had earlier urged schools and universities in the SADC region to cut ties with Israeli institutions, saying that institutions of learning should not remain immune from ethical obligations.
The call from ACSA coincided with widespread pro-Palestine demonstrations in Cape Town over the weekend, where thousands marched from Muir Street to Parliament, chanting “Free Palestine” and demanding stronger governmental measures against Israel.
Mass crowds filled the streets of Cape Town South Africa, rallying in solidarity with Palestine. South Africans, shaped by their own history of apartheid, demanded an end to the colonizers on-going crimes against the Palestinian people in attempts to ethnically cleanse them from… pic.twitter.com/Q4DV0xU2uI
— WearThePeace (@WearThePeaceCo) September 27, 2025
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
