Staff Writer
HARARE — The Embassy of the State of Palestine in Zimbabwe and Johanne The Fifth of Africa International Church yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the church pledging its full support and solidarity with the Palestinian people amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank.
The agreement was signed at the Palestine Embassy in Harare, where the two parties expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation and solidarity between Zimbabwean and Palestinian churches.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, State of Palestine Ambassador to Zimbabwe Dr Tamer Almassri thanked Zimbabwe for its continued solidarity with the Palestinian people.
“We have great relations with civil society, churches and universities in Zimbabwe. We are honoured to have the Archbishop of Johanne The Fifth of Africa International Church, Andby Makururu, who has been supportive of the Palestinian people during the Israeli genocide that started in October 2023,” Ambassador Almassri said.
He said the MOU marked an important step towards strengthening ties between churches in the two countries.
“We are also in solidarity with Zimbabwe and the churches. Today, we will sign the first MOU and solidarity cooperation agreement between the Embassy of the State of Palestine and Johanne The Fifth of Africa International Church.
“This MOU will open cooperation between Palestinian churches and Zimbabwean churches. We think that the Zimbabwean voice should be heard everywhere around the globe. We have stood by Zimbabwe to denounce the illegal sanctions imposed on the country,” he said.
Archbishop Makururu paid tribute to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, describing him as a leader committed to the advancement of Africa.
“I would like to pay tribute to His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as he is a true leader chosen by God to uplift Africa as a whole,” he said.
Archbishop Makururu said the relationship between Zimbabwe and Palestine was rooted in shared experiences of colonisation.
“The relationship between Zimbabwe and the State of Palestine is a reflection of a true bond between the two states emanating from colonisation. The MOU is important as it will bond us,” he said.
He also pledged continued support and prayers for the Palestinian people.
“We are grateful that, as churches, we have a free operating environment, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my solidarity with the Palestinian people.
“We are praying for peace and that the State of Palestine be fully liberated. As churches, we will continue praying for the liberation of the State of Palestine. As churches in Zimbabwe, we will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine,” Archbishop Makururu said.
The signing of the MOU is expected to strengthen the bond between Zimbabwean and Palestinian faith communities by providing a formal platform for continued solidarity, cooperation and engagement. Beyond the immediate expression of support for the Palestinian people, the agreement represents an effort to deepen people-to-people relations and create stronger links between churches in the two countries.
The MOU also gives greater institutional weight to the church’s solidarity with Palestine, potentially enabling the two sides to work together on initiatives that promote peace, humanitarian values and greater awareness of the situation facing Palestinians. It therefore marks an important step in translating Zimbabwe’s longstanding solidarity with Palestine into stronger cooperation at the faith and community level.