The highest decision-making body of the Anglican Church of South Africa (ACSA) has unanimously backed the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign to end its military occupation of Palestine.
The decision was made in Johannesburg at the Triennial Synod of the Church, representing Anglican communities in South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland (Swaziland), Mozambique, Angola and St. Helena.
"The situation in the Holy Land requires the attention of the Christian Church, since Jesus was born, raised and crucified in it," it said.
The resolution also warned against confusing the current nation-state of Israel and the importance of distinguishing between the political ideology of Zionism and the Jewish religion.
The resolution condemned "anti-Semitism" and "Islamophobia" and acknowledged the similarity between apartheid in South Africa and what is happening in occupied Palestine, and that "in some respects the situation there can be described as worse than apartheid." "South Africans have a special responsibility to stand with the oppressed in the same way that others in the international community stood with the South African people during the abominable apartheid era," it said.
"The Palestinians simply want peace, freedom, justice and dignity. This decision is an important step in pressuring Israel to comply with international law and end its illegal occupation of the state of Palestine," said Hashem Dajani, Palestinian ambassador to South Africa.
He called on other sects and groups to adopt the Anglican Church´s decision.
"The time has come to end the occupation and liberate the Palestinians," said Luke Batu, the Anglican bishop of Namibia.
