PRESS STATEMENT: BDS SA 2015 Christmas message
22 December 2015
Christmas is that time of year when people celebrate faith and family. It is a moment when Christians the world over remember and rejoice at the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ.
During this festive season let us also remember that as much as the kingdom of Jesus was spiritual, his mission was also to heal the sick, give sight to the blind, associate with the downtrodden and marginalised, and struggle for the deliverance of the oppressed.
This year has been a difficult one; from terror attacks on the African continent to those in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere. It has been a particularly difficult year for Christian Palestinians who have had their churches and holy sites firebombed by Israeli-settlers, their freedom of movement restricted and access to their Holy sites obstructed by Israel and its regime of Apartheid. Just one such example is Israel’s illegal 8 meter high Apartheid Wall that looms over the Holy Town of Bethlehem in Palestine, the birth place of Christ depicted in the "Christmas Card" above by the world famous artist, Banksy.
But there is hope, for Palestinian Christians, Palestinians and humanity. Earlier this year the United Church of Christ voted to boycott and divest from the Israeli occupation. Other churches to have also taken similar BDS positions in recent time include the United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church and the Quaker Friends Fiduciary Corporation. By actively supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people — which include Christian Palestinians — Christians and Churches are representing the true ethos of Christ’s message!
As we rejoice in the Christmas cheer let us remember and pray for those who are persecuted and oppressed. Let us also remember Christ’s example of standing with the downtrodden. And as Christmas passes, let us re-commit ourselves to continue to fight in the new year for a more peaceful and just world - a world that the Prince of Peace would be proud of.
To all those celebrating Christmas, from the team at BDS South Africa, may you enjoy the message of hope, love, and peace during this special time of year.
ISSUED BY KWARA KEKANA ON BEHALF OF BDS SOUTH AFRICA
BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT AND SANCTIONS AGAINST ISRAEL in SOUTH AFRICA (BDS SOUTH AFRICA)
10th Floor | 23 Jorisson Street | Braamfontein Centre | Braamfontein | Johannesburg
PO Box 2318 | Houghton | 2041 | Johannesburg
T: +27 (0) 11 403 2097 | M: +27 (0) 74 054 3826 | F: +27 (0) 86 650 4836
BDS South Africa is a registered Non-Profit Organization. NPO NUMBER: 084 306 NPOBDS South Africa is a registered Public Benefit Organisation with Section 18A status. PBO NUMBER: 930 037 446
