American Jewish groups denounce Presbyterian Church for calling Israel ‘apartheid’
United States RNS US Jewish organisations have responded angrily to the vote by the Presbyterian Church (USA) declaring Israel an apartheid state, with some saying it amounted to anti-Semitism. On Friday, the 1.1 million member denomination’s general assembly voted 266 to 116 on a resolution that stated “Israel’s laws, policies, and practices constitute apartheid against […]
The Interview: Incoming World Council of Churches’ head Jerry Pillay
JACK JENKINS, of Religion News Service, speaks with Rev Jerry Pillay who says that controversy after his election to lead the World Council of Churches was “expected”…
New World Council of Churches head draws criticism over Israel remarks
RNS Since being elected to lead the World Council of Churches earlier this month, Rev Jerry Pillay, former general secretary of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, has been rebuffing critics who accuse him of making anti-Semitic remarks by referring to Israel’s treatment of Palestinians as tantamount to apartheid. Pillay, the dean of the […]
Postcards: The South African community hailed as a model for racial diversity
KIM HARRISBERG, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports from Welbedacht, a community researchers say it could be a model for other places still scarred by apartheid…
Amnesty accuses Israel of enforcing ‘apartheid’ on Palestinians
Jerusalem, Israel Reuters Amnesty International accused Israel on Tuesday of subjecting Palestinians to a system of apartheid founded on policies of “segregation, dispossession and exclusion” that it said amounted to crimes against humanity. The London-based rights group said its findings were based on research and legal analysis in a 211-page report into Israeli seizure of […]
FW de Klerk, South African president who oversaw end of apartheid, dies at 85
Johannesburg, South Africa Reuters South Africa’s last white President, Frederik Willem (FW) de Klerk, died on Thursday leaving a final apology via video for crimes against other ethnic groups during decades of apartheid. “I, without qualification, apologise for the pain and the hurt and the indignity and the damage that apartheid has done to Black, […]
Wow!: South Africa’s first Black free dive instructor turns tide on apartheid history
WENDELL ROELF, of Reuters, reports frome Cape Town on Zandile Ndlovu’s breakthrough role…
FUNERALS: DESIGNER DEATH? SOUTH AFRICA STRUGGLES TO BURY INEQUALITY
KIM HARRISBERG, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports from South Africa…
SOUTH AFRICA: “WE FEEL FREE” – CYCLISTS RIDE THROUGH APARTHEID’S SPATIAL DIVIDES
KIM HARRISBERG, writing for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, looks at how a cycling initiative is breaking down barriers…
Nelson Mandela commemorated at Westminster Abbey in London
A memorial stone commemorating Nelson Mandela was dedicated at Westminster Abbey in London on Wednesday, marking the centenary of the former South African President’s birth. Nomatemba Tambo, the High Commissioner for South Africa, and Dlamini-Mandela, grand-daughter of Mr Mandela, were among those who attended the service which was led by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend […]