A pro-Israel prayer meeting in Cape Town over the weekend was canceled due to safety concerns, after about 1,000 Palestine supporters gathered and disrupted the event.

Four people were arrested on charges of public violence. The prayer meeting, intended to be a peaceful Christian event, was canceled before it started, and clashes ensued, leading to injuries and arrests.

The protests have added perceived legitimacy to the South African government’s partisan stance on the foreign conflict. The Israeli ambassador has received a démarche (an official statement of the diplomatic stance) from the Department of International Relations (DIRCO), expressing grave concerns about the Israel-Palestine conflict, and condemning Israel’s response to Hamas’s invasion of southern Israel.

DIRCO called for an investigation into war crimes by both parties, and called for an end to the Israeli occupation of the region, reiterating its decision to recall diplomats from Tel Aviv and to reassess the relationship amid a rise in civilian casualties. South Africa called for an immediate comprehensive ceasefire, humanitarian corridors, and the release of civilian hostages, stating readiness to contribute to peace restoration and negotiations.

The Pro-Palestinian protesters in Cape Town, who numbered in the tens of thousands, called for the shutting of Jewish schools and the expulsion of Israeli diplomats, and more extreme elements waved flags representing ISIS and Hezbollah. Minister of transport Fikile Mbalula attended, and added to the calls for the embassy to be closed.

The march turned violent just after 11:00, when approximately 1 000 Palestine supporters marched toward the promenade where pro-Israeli protesters had gathered, apparently disrupting the proceedings that were due to start at 14:30.

Western Cape SAPS spokesperson, Captain FC Van Wyk, said officers had to use stronger riot control tactics, such as stun grenades and water cannon when the protesters refused to disperse.

"We can confirm that SAPS members are still static on the scene fulfilling their mandate," Van Wyk said around 16:30.

Local authorities received criticism from both sides - from the pro-Israelis for failing to protect their right to protest, and from pro-Palestinians for not letting them deprive the Israelis of theirs.