Fighting for the Future:
South African Leaders Quietly Strengthen Their Resolve in Israel
By Gedaliah Blum – Heartland Initiative
As relations between Israel and South Africa reach historic lows, a delegation of South African faith leaders traveled to Israel for the Envision Conference, hosted by the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem (ICEJ). While many participants attended and returned home, a select group of South African leaders chose to extend their visit, spending additional days in the biblical heartland of Yehuda and Shomron. This was not just a gesture of support for Israel. It was a strategic move to strengthen their own resolve in the battle for faith, truth, and national identity back home.
The delegation was hosted by Gedaliah Blum, Director of Heartland Initiative, a platform dedicated to building relationships between Israel and international faith-based communities. This visit was not about political diplomacy but about firsthand experiences that could fuel a movement back in South Africa, where many leaders face increasing challenges in defending Judeo-Christian values.
Among the distinguished participants were Danny Yakcobi, Director of South African Friends of Israel; Vivienne Myburgh, South African National Director of the ICEJ; and Pastor Larry Elliott and his wife Amanda from the South African Rhema Church, a network of over 200 churches representing more than one million members. Their presence highlighted the importance of the growing alliance between pro-Israel Christians in South Africa and the Jewish people living in their biblical homeland.
For many, this was their first visit beyond the well-known biblical sites of Israel. The decision to extend their stay into Yehuda and Shomron was about more than just learning history. It was about witnessing firsthand the reality on the ground and drawing inspiration from a people and a land that have withstood millennia of opposition.
The delegation began their extended tour in Ancient Shiloh, the first capital of the Jewish people, where the Tabernacle stood for nearly 369 years. Led by renowned Israeli tour guide Eve Harow, they walked through the very site where Hannah prayed for a son, where Eli the High Priest led, and where generations of Israelites gathered to worship.
Ancient Shiloh is not just a relic of the past. It is an active archaeological site, with new discoveries constantly reaffirming the deep and unbreakable connection between the Jewish people and their land. As one delegation member stood in silence, gazing across the landscape, he remarked, “This is what we are fighting for. Our own faith, our own history. They want to erase that too.”
From biblical history, the delegation moved forward to witness modern-day Israel in action, visiting Ariel University, where they were hosted by Vice President Gabi Harow. Unlike many universities worldwide that have become ideological battlegrounds, Ariel University stands as a model of education, research, and technological advancement, free from political influence.
Walking through its state-of-the-art research labs, rehabilitation clinics, and innovation hubs, the delegation saw a stark contrast to the misinformation they had been exposed to for years. Jews, Muslims, Christians, and Druze study together, not as adversaries, but as equals working toward a better future.
Reflecting on the contrast to South Africa’s increasingly politicized academic institutions, one delegate observed, “Our universities are being hijacked by ideology. Here, education is about progress, not division. This is what we need.”
For the delegation, Ariel University was not just a lesson in academic excellence. It was proof that when a nation prioritizes education, innovation, and national identity, it thrives. It underscored a fundamental truth that many in South Africa are beginning to recognize—strong nations are built on principles, not on appeasement to radical agendas.
This extended visit came at a critical moment. The U.S. Trump Administration is currently sanctioning South Africa due to its government’s alignment with Iran and China, yet many South Africans reject their leadership’s foreign policy choices. The leaders on this trip represented millions of South Africans who do not see Israel as an enemy, but as an ally and an inspiration.
The challenges facing Israel and South Africa are not isolated struggles. They are part of a larger global battle for truth, history, and the survival of Judeo-Christian values. The same forces working to demonize Israel are actively erasing religious freedoms, dismantling communities, and rewriting history in countries around the world.
By coming to Israel, these leaders were not only standing with the Jewish people. They were reinforcing their own right to exist in a world that increasingly seeks to erase them.
For many, openly supporting Israel in South Africa comes at a personal cost. The BDS movement, radical activists, and political extremists work tirelessly to silence those who challenge their agenda. Some of the delegation members must be cautious in how they express their advocacy, knowing the risks of social and professional backlash.
But this is not a retreat. It is a calculated step forward.
While their opponents spread propaganda, these leaders are forming alliances. While others tear down, they are building bridges.
The South African delegation left Israel not just with memories, but with a renewed mission. They saw in Israel a blueprint for resilience, faith, and unwavering determination. They saw a nation that refuses to surrender to those who seek its destruction.
This visit was not about diplomacy. It was a declaration that, even in the most hostile environments, there are those willing to stand for truth, for faith, and for a future that cannot be erased.
The world must take notice. The war against Israel is part of a larger war against Judeo-Christian values. The same forces that seek to demonize, delegitimize, and erase Israel are attacking faith communities, national identity, and historical truth wherever they find them.
The battle is the same. The victory will be as well. Those who refuse to surrender will win.