Johannesburg – The South African Friends of Israel (SAFI) recently hosted a “best-practice” visit to Israel for 22 members of the Patriotic Alliance (PA).
SAFI said the visit late last month was in line with the PA undertaking to leverage their position within the Government of National Unity to increase South Africa’s trade and economic relationship with Israel.
In a statement made available to The Bulrushes on Monday, 9 June 2025, SAFI said: “The best practice visit to Israel, motivated by the PA’s desire to understand why Israel’s economy continues to thrive, explored various aspects of water security, agricultural sustainability, and technological innovation where Israel has implemented significant projects in this regard throughout Africa”.
SAFI describes itself as a “grassroots movement” representing thousands of South Africans – Christians and Jews alike – who support the continued connection and solidarity between South Africa and the State of Israel.
“The lessons drawn from these sectors have empowered the PA political leaders with the knowledge and tools to implement similar solutions back at home, acting as engines for socio-economic upliftment,” said Bafana Modise, spokesperson for SAFI.
“The delegation also met with various Israeli entities that have been set up exclusively to assist countries in need, whether in addressing local diseases, access to water or disaster relief, and lamented the fact that due to the South African government’s hostile relationship with Israel, these entities do not operate within the country.”
SAFI stated in its statement that Israel was a world leader in desalination, managing to source 85% of its drinking water from these infrastructure projects.
“The PA were able to see first-hand how an arid country like Israel was able to solve its water issues, and could fundamentally assist a water-scarce South Africa with its various challenges,” the statement said.
“Where it concerns agriculture, Israeli-designed systems account for 50% of the world’s low-pressure irrigation systems, while 86% of its wastewater is reclaimed for agricultural needs – the highest percentage in the world.”
Further to this, Modise said Israeli companies have installed more than 350 desalination plants in nearly 40 countries, cutting desalination processing costs by half.
Modise added: “Visits to various businesses in Judea and Samara (the West Bank) demonstrated how Israelis and Palestinians work and exist in harmony.
“The PA delegation also met with Sodastream, who expressed how they had to relocate their operations from the West Bank to Israel due to pressure from the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
“This resulted in many Palestinians losing their jobs and livelihoods.”
Israel has successfully reduced its unemployment from 15% to 4% while under war, and is a healthy startup nation, managing to attract $12 billion in venture capital funding.
Regarding the high-tech and semiconductor industry, SAFI said Israel was considered one of the world’s most innovative digital environments, home to over 800 innovative companies.
“The PA, which acknowledges that the Christian community constitutes more than 80% of the South African population, stands with Israel and its right to existence,” commented Modise.
“Visits to biblical and historical sites confirmed that the majority of South Africans retain a deep spiritual connection with Israel.
“The PA expressed disappointment over the absence of a South African Embassy, which makes it more difficult for South African Christians to travel”, commented Modise.
SAFI, whose stated mission is to promote mutual respect, shared values, and people-to-people relationships grounded in truth, justice, and biblical heritage, said the visiting PA members paid tribute to the 51 members of the Cape Corp who fell in 1918 while assisting the British armed forces to liberate Jerusalem.
SAFI said a “moving ceremony” was held at their burial site to commemorate the significant contribution of South Africa’s coloured community to the establishment of the state of Israel.
“The PA delegation marveled at the Israeli people’s zest for life, despite being in the midst of a war – on two occasions the delegation was forced to evacuate into a bomb shelter due to missiles from enemy fire,” commented Modise.
“Visits to the sites of Hamas’ barbaric attack gave the PA first hand evidence of how Hamas perpetrated sub-human atrocities on a massive scale in their genocidal attempt to destroy Israel and its people.”
Despite this, the delegation could not believe how the South Africa media had distorted Israel.
After traveling through many areas of Israel and the Palestinian territories, the PA members did not observe anything that was vaguely similar to Apartheid, and instead witnessed a society where people of all races and religions are fully integrated and coexist.
“The conclusion from the visit was categorically clear,” said Modise.
“The PA delegation walked away in full agreement that Israel has the knowledge, skills, and technology to significantly uplift the lives of all South Africans and confirmed their party’s support for renewed engagements with the country as soon as possible.
“South Africa indeed has much to gain and nothing to lose with resetting its relations with Israel.”
The PA is part of the SA Government of National Unity, which has formally accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians.
The matter is before the International Court of Justice.
Israel denies the accusations.
