SAFI Urges South Africa to Reevaluate Water Security Ties with Israel
JOHANNESBURG – The South African Friends of Israel (SAFI) is urging the South African government to set aside ideological differences and reassess its partnership with Israel regarding water security initiatives.
SAFI highlights that Israel has pioneered the use of desalinated seawater to replenish natural freshwater lakes, making it the first country to achieve this feat in history. The organization pointed out that water is currently being channeled into the Sea of Galilee, a significant freshwater source for Christians, as part of efforts to restore its water levels, which had been diminished through advanced desalination techniques.
According to SAFI spokesperson Bafana Modise, Israel’s success underscores the value of investing in innovative solutions to tackle complex environmental issues. Modise believes this achievement serves as a wake-up call for South Africa, where millions still struggle with access to clean drinking water, despite the country receiving far more annual rainfall than Israel.
“These governments have demonstrated that water scarcity stems not only from climate factors but also from leadership, strategic planning, and the embrace of innovation,” Modise added.
While Israel has effectively restored a freshwater lake through desalination, SAFI notes that many communities in South Africa continue to face severe water shortages due to aging infrastructure and failing systems. This persistent issue leads to unnecessary hardships, food insecurity, and educational interruptions for menstruating girls, highlighting an urgent need for improvement.
SAFI emphasized that Israel provided vital support to Cape Town during the 2017 Day Zero drought, offering desalination expertise that could have significantly bolstered the city’s long-term water resilience.
Had the proposed infrastructure projects been implemented, SAFI contends that large-scale desalination capabilities could have been established sooner, easing pressure on existing water resources and enhancing security for millions of residents.
Modise argues that South Africa cannot afford to dismiss world-class expertise based on political ideology, asserting that the priority should always be the welfare of its citizens.
Innovative initiatives from Israeli humanitarian Sivan Yaari, through her organization Innovation: Africa, have already brought clean water, solar energy, and agricultural advancements to 197 communities across South Africa, positively impacting over 800,000 people. SAFI argues that Israel’s recent accomplishments should ignite new discussions around scientific collaboration, technology transfer, and partnerships aimed at combating the water shortages experienced by many South Africans.
Last year, SAFI led a political delegation to Israel that included members of the Patriotic Alliance, allowing participants to witness these innovations firsthand. The delegation toured Israeli desalination facilities and agritech projects, concluding that Israel possesses proven solutions capable of addressing South Africa’s most pressing water and infrastructure challenges.
Modise noted that the feedback from South Africans who observed these technologies was remarkably consistent. “Israel is not asking South Africa to reinvent the wheel,” he stated. The country has already developed effective solutions in desalination, wastewater recycling, precision agriculture, and water management, successfully implemented in numerous nations.
“In a time when our communities are grappling with deteriorating water infrastructure, we must critically assess how these partnerships can serve South Africans,” Modise urged. He views the recharge of the Sea of Galilee as not just a technological triumph but as evidence that dedicated innovation, investment, and foresight can surmount challenges once deemed insurmountable, including those faced by South Africa.
