Sderot – More than 100 pastors from South Africa have departed for Israel to participate in the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem’s (ICEJ) annual Feast of Tabernacles gathering.
The South African Friends of Israel (SAFI) announced on Monday, 6 October 2025, that 120 pastors from South Africa have departed for Israel to participate in ICEJ.
SAFI said this year’s feast, which is taking place this week from 6–10 October 2025, marks a historic moment as more than 1 500 Christians from over 70 nations converge in Jerusalem in what has become the largest solidarity mission to Israel since the war began two years ago.
“Despite ongoing conflict in Gaza, the delegation of Christian leaders remains committed to championing faith-based diplomacy,” SAFI said.
“They offer a symbolic testimony of the unwavering support Israel has received from Christians across the globe, who continue to stand with Israel in its time of need.
Under the theme “Ten From Every Nation” (Zechariah 8:23), pilgrims will start by visiting Israeli communities living along the Gaza border to witness the resilience of Israeli citizens recovering from the devastating 7 October 2023 terrorist attacks.
“The South African pastors will be visiting the Gaza Strip today, and towns including Sderot,” SAFI said.
“Delegates will take part in a remembrance ceremony at Sapir College to honor the 1 200 Israelis killed and 251 hostages taken during the assault, and will hear first-hand testimonies from survivors.”
SAFI said the program also includes visits to key sites of the Hamas atrocities, such as the Nova music festival grounds and the “car graveyard” near Tkuma, followed by events in Jerusalem, including the Jerusalem March and a solidarity evening attended by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, and Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka.
“The presence of 120 South African pastors in Jerusalem this week sends a powerful message: the church in South Africa stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel against antisemitism, terrorism, and those who seek her destruction,” said Bafana Modise, National Spokesperson of SAFI.
“At a time when our own government’s foreign policy has turned hostile, these pastors represent millions of South African Christians who believe in Israel’s biblical and moral right to defend itself, and to exist in peace.
ICEJ President, Dr. Jürgen Bühler, described the Feast as a “message of unwavering support for Israel,” highlighting the significance of large delegations from Western nations, including the UK, France, Norway, Canada, Ireland, and Australia.
SAFI commends these pastors for their courage and conviction in traveling to Israel during wartime, reaffirming that faith-based communities in South Africa continue to be a beacon of solidarity with the Jewish state.
Meanwhile, Israel, which faces accusations of genocide after the IDF killed more than 60 000 Palestinians – many of them women and children – in retaliation for the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, appears to have bowed down to international pressure to stop the killings.
Negotiators were reportedly converging on Egypt for talks aimed at ending Israel’s nearly two-year war on the Gaza Strip.
Israeli attacks on Gaza have continued unabated, with at least 24 Palestinians reported killed on Sunday.
In a related development, SA President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on Israel to release South Africans and other nationals abducted as part of the Israeli authorities’ interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
The Flotilla comprises over 50 humanitarian vessels seeking to deliver aid to Gaza.
